Our Lenten Practices

Prayer
Scripture tells us the Spirit led Jesus into the desert where He fasted and prayed to prepare for His mission. Imitating the example of Jesus, we also pray, focusing on conversion from our sinful ways and renew our baptismal promises. We aim to follow Jesus’ example better and grow closer to God our Father, and to continue Jesus’ mission of proclaiming the Good News of salvation found only in Him.

Fasting
Fasting has commonly been associated with reducing the amount of food we eat; our physical hunger serves to remind us of our spiritual hunger, that is, our need for God. Our Lenten fasting is modeled on Jesus’ fasting in the desert as He prepared for His public ministry. To fast helps remind us of our baptismal commitment and need for renewal.

On Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent, we abstain from meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we fast as well, limiting ourselves to one full meal and two smaller meals with nothing in between. Catholics 14 years of age and older are to follow the law of abstinence; Catholics 18-60 years of age are to follow the law of the fast.

Almsgiving
Let us cultivate a spirit of gratitude for what we have rather than be resentful and jealous of others who have more than we do. Without our most precious commodities - love, friendship, health - which are all gifts from God, our material possessions are worthless. Gratitude for what we have prompts us to do something for those in need, not out of guilt, but out of compassion.