Lent

Lent

Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent.
The faithful and Catechumens undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance
and of preparation for the renewal of Baptism Promises or Initiation into the Church at Easter.

Stations of the Cross start Friday Feb 19 and will be held every Friday during Lent at 7pm. Come for a fish and shrimp Lenten dinner from 5-7pm before Stations each week. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus!

Liturgy of the Hours starts Sat Feb 20 and will be held every Saturday during Lent at 830am in the chapel. The Church prays daily prayer where each particular prayer service represents the entire Church. The Mass is the prime example of the Church's public prayer. The Church also invites private prayer by groups and individuals, such as the rosary. Besides the Mass, the public prayer of the Church includes the Liturgy of the Hours. Beginning Sat Feb 20, at 8:30am and continuing each of the following five Saturdays at the same time until and including Sat March 27, we will pray Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours (about 20 minutes in length) in the Chapel of Our Lady, Queen of the Americas. All are welcome. What is the Liturgy of the Hours? click here

Lenten Retreat with Father Michael starts Mon March 1 at 7pm in the Lewis Rm The theme this Lent is, "How Does Saint Ignatius Help Us To Keep A Good Lent?" The subsequent presentations occur on March 8 & 22. All sessions will be held in the Lewis Room at 7pm. All are welcome. Bring a friend!

Reconciliation Services We will have two communal penance services: Tues March 2 11am with a luncheon (who can resist?) and Mon March 15 7pm. We also have our regularly scheduled Saturday afternoon celebration of the sacrament. Please be aware that the Sacrament of Reconciliation will NOT be available at St. Raphael during Holy Week, so plan to participate in the Sacrament sometime before then during Lent.

Online Lenten Retreats During the 40 days of Lent go to IgnatianSpirituality.com for spiritual refreshment.

NORMS FOR FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday, Feb 17 and Good Friday, April 2 are days of fasting and abstinence.
Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one‘s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. Fasting is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.

On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, Church law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, ask one of our priests. Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older.