The Three Pillars of Lent

Where do these three pillars (or acts of righteousness) come from? Straight from the Bible! Read the Gospel of Matthew 6:1-6, 16:18, which is the Gospel reading on Ash Wednesday.

Prayer

• Set aside the same time each day to build the habit of praying together as a family. This could be prayer before meals, bedtime prayers, or when driving to school/daycare together.

• Take time for each member to say their prayer intention for the day; which could be praying for a grandparent, a sick friend, or doing well on a test.

• Learn and pray the 5 Finger Prayer!

Almsgiving

• Families could do their own project, such as giving to the food pantry, visiting the sick, or giving time to one of many other local charities. 

Fasting

Church Regulations Regarding Fast and Abstinence:

• Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent.

• Fasting means limiting oneself to one full meal on a given fast day. Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 60 are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

• On fast days, two additional smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength. However, the two smaller meals together may not equal one full meal.  Moreover, eating solid foods between meals on fast days is not permitted.

Learn more with the following articles:

1. Fasting Means Conquering Yourself by Catholic Answers magazine

2. Rend Your Heart and Not Your Garments by Dr. Edward Sri, Episode 339 on Ascension's podcast.

LAETARE SUNDAY

The following is an interview from the website Fathers for Good, which can be read HERE.

To get a deeper insight into this “Rejoice” Sunday, we asked Father Matthew Ernest to explain some of the theology and practice related to the celebration. Father Ernest was ordained in 2004 for the Archdiocese of New York, where he serves at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale. He holds a doctorate in Liturgy from The Catholic University of America and has assisted in the preparation of the new translation of the Roman Missal.

Where does the name “Laetare Sunday” come from?

Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, takes its name from the Latin word which begins the entrance antiphon (introit) for that day. Laetare means rejoice, and this Sunday is marked by a relaxation of the penitential character of the Lenten season. In church, flowers may be used to adorn the altar on this day, and the organ may be played more fully.

Are we supposed to "Rejoice!" in the middle of Lent?

Indeed we are! On this Sunday, we look with expectation to the great Solemnity of Easter for which we have been preparing ourselves as a Church during the Lenten season. By its anticipation of the joy of Easter, Laetare Sunday is meant to give us hope and encouragement as we slowly progress towards the Paschal Feast.

Did the priests used to wear pink rose vestments on this Sunday?

Not only did priests used to wear rose vestments, but they still may! On both Laetare Sunday and Gaudete Sunday (the Third Sunday of Advent), a priest may wear rose vestments. The color rose is used as a sign of the joy which characterizes these two Sundays. The use of rose vestments probably stems from an ancient papal tradition of blessing golden roses which would be sent to Catholic heads of state in Europe on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Are there traditional (or contemporary!) celebrations or observances that a family might observe to make this Laetare Sunday more memorable?

In addition to attending Sunday Mass, a family might choose to mark Laetare Sunday by anticipating the Easter feast; a Sunday brunch with roses on the table would be appropriate. A family might also wish, during this beginning period of spring, to plant a rose bush on this day. Finally, there was a medieval tradition of visiting one’s “mother church” (the church where one was baptized) on this day. A family trip to see where mom and dad or the children began their journey of faith could make for a fine Sunday afternoon outing!

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

We Catholics cherish the Good Friday liturgy and the tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross at our parish. While many of us are able to participate in these holy traditions at our parishes this year, we can still meditate on the Passion of Christ at home.

Here's a three-step guide for honoring Good Friday at home:

1. Gather supplies
Get a Stations of the Cross booklet for each member of your family, or a plaque that displays all the Stations.

2. Pray at 3:00 p.m.
Gather your family together at the hour when Jesus died, or go to a quiet spot in your home where you can meditate.

3. Venerate the Cross
Once you've prayed the Stations of the Cross, and read the readings for the Good Friday liturgy, put a crucifix in a place of honor and spend time in prayer before it.

Source: The Catholic Company