
The season of Lent is the time in which we prepare ourselves for the Church's greatest celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter. The season lasts for 40 days. It is a time in which we work on growing closer to Christ through prayer, fasting and penance. It is also a time in which we recall our own Baptism by which we were joined to Jesus and first received a share in God's life called grace, which we receive every time we celebrate the Eucharist and the other sacraments. We also pray for all those who will be welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil through their celebration of Baptism.
The season of Lent begins on a feast known as Ash Wednesday (February 17th). On Ash Wednesday, during Mass, we are marked with a cross of blessed ashes as a reminder that Jesus suffered and died out of His love for each one of us and to save us from our sins. The cross of ashes is also a sign that we are sorry for our sins and want to follow Jesus.
During Lent, we are especially invited to celebrate the forgiveness of God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be strengthened by God's love, mercy, and peace. In celebrating Reconciliation, we answer Christ's call proclaimed to us when we received the ashes on Ash Wednesday: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel."
As part of the Lenten Season, Catholics are called to perform acts of good deeds and make sacrifices throughout the 40 day journey. Catholics ages 18 to 59 are called to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by only eating one regular meal and two lesser meals with no eating between. Catholics ages 14 and up are called to abstain on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in Lent by not eating meat. Catholics are also called to make other sacrifices if they are unable to engage in fasting and abstinence. (Click here to see the official liturgical rules from the Archdiocese of Miami.)
May the season of Lent be a time in which our prayer, penance, and good works take on special meaning in preparing our hearts to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
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