LENT AND EASTER
AT SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE
Pray. Fast. Give alms.
Live in the Lord Jesus Christ!
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Lent, like many other practices and observances in the life of the church, had a gradual development. Its beginnings grew out of the desire to prepare appropriately for the central Christian feast of Easter. Christians reflected on the 40 days of fasting undertaken by Moses (Exodus 34:28), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus (Mark 4:2; Luke 4:1-2) as times of preparation for momentous events. It was only natural that they wished to imitate the example of these great Scriptural figures as part of their preparation for celebrating the saving passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord. The first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in the year 325 A.D., already speaks of a 40-day period of preparation for Easter as some thing obvious and familiar to all.
In the Western church, including Catholicism, the "40 days" begin with Ash Wednesday and end at sunset on Holy Thursday, the start of the Paschal Triduum
— the "three days" commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Sundays are not generally counted because Sunday is a "little Easter" (Saint Augustine).The Christians of early centuries saw fasting, with its rigors and discipline, as a way of expressing their resolve to turn away from sin and focus the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. Also, fasting was seen as a source of fervor in prayer and as a way of preparing to receive with renewed intensity the grace of the paschal mystery and the conferring of the Spirit. Finally, fasting was regarded as a way of helping the poor with money that would otherwise have been spent on food.
Other important influences entered into the development of the Lenten season. Among these were the reconciliation of penitents and the bringing of candidates for the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil. Both of these ministries represented a response to the basic summons enunciated in the Gospel of Mark: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (1:15). What the church required of candidates and penitents by way of liturgical and ascetical effort came to be assumed by the faithful out of a sense of solidarity with those embracing life in Christ and out of a need for renewal of personal spiritual life.
An overview of the history of Lent would not be complete without a word about the imposition of ashes of the first day of the penitential season. The early church required that those of its members who were guilty of public grave sin and wished to be reconciled to God and the church should, at the start of Lent, be clothed in penitential garments and have ashes sprinkled on them.
Although the imposition of public ecclesiastical penance disappeared toward the end of the eleventh century, the rite of the imposition of ashes, whose dramatic and spiritual sense made a deep impression, was extended to all the faithful. The ashes symbolize the dust of the earth to which we, because of the sin of Adam and Eve, must all return. However, in the ashes we see not only our "death with Christ to sin," but also our resurrection from the earth to glory with the New Adam, Christ our Redeemer. The discipline of penance, embraced with contrite heart, and the sacraments of the church, fervently celebrated, are the pledge of our final victory in Christ.
Father Bernard Camiré, S.S.S.
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE
The Lenten practices of fast and abstinence have a long history in the church, dating to the first centuries of Christianity. The purpose behind such acts of self-denial is to simplify our lifestyle so that we can experience a certain emptiness and a corresponding hunger for God. In this way, freed from all distractions, we can respond to God’s continuous call to conversion and holiness.
Fast
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive. On days of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are.
Abstinence
Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.
Those who are not able to observe the above due to ill health or other reasons are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. Catholics and those preparing for entrance into the church should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or the renewal of baptismal promises at Easter.
LENT 2008 MESSAGE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
"Christ made himself poor for you" (2 Cor 8:9)
Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In this Lenten period, the church makes it its duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For this year's Lenten Message, I wish to spend some time on the practice of almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods. The force of attraction to material riches and just how categorical our decision must be not to make them an idol, Jesus confirms in a resolute way: "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Lk 16:13). Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor's needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness. . . .According to the teaching of the Gospel, we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess: these, then, are not to be considered as our exclusive possession, but means through which the Lord calls each of us to act as a steward of his providence for our neighbor. . . . In the Gospel, Jesus explicitly admonishes the one who possesses and uses earthly riches only for self. In the face of the multitudes, who, lacking everything, suffer hunger, the words of Saint John acquire the tone of a ringing rebuke: "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?" (1 Jn 3:17). . . .
In inviting us to consider almsgiving with a more profound gaze that transcends the purely material dimension, Scripture teaches us that there is more joy in giving than in receiving (cf. Acts 20:35). When we do things out of love, we express the truth of our being: indeed, we have been created not for ourselves but for God and our brothers and sisters (cf. 2 Cor 5:15). Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbor in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction, and joy. . . .
Almsgiving teaches us the generosity of love. . . . [Jesus] made himself poor to enrich us out of his poverty. He gave his entire self for us. Lent, also through the practice of almsgiving, inspires us to follow his example. In his school, we can learn to make of our lives a total gift; imitating him, we are able to make ourselves available, not so much in giving a part of what we possess, but our very selves. Cannot the entire Gospel be summarized perhaps in the one commandment of love? The Lenten practice of almsgiving thus becomes a means to deepen our Christian vocation. In gratuitously offering himself, the Christian bears witness that it is love and not material riches that determines the laws of one's existence. Love, then, gives almsgiving its value; it inspires various forms of giving, according to the possibilities and conditions of each person.
Dear brothers and sisters, Lent invites us to "train ourselves" spiritually, also through the practice of almsgiving, in order to grow in charity and recognize in the poor Christ himself. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the apostle Peter said to the cripple who was begging alms at the temple gate: "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk" (Acts 3:6). In giving alms, we offer something material, a sign of the greater gift that we can impart to others through the announcement and witness of Christ, in whose name is found true life. Let this time, then, be marked by a personal and community effort of attachment to Christ in order that we may be witnesses of his love. May Mary, mother and faithful servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the "spiritual battle" of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting, and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter feasts, renewed in spirit.
The complete text of Pope Benedict XVI's Lent 2008 Message.
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ASH WEDNESDAYFEBRUARY 6, 2008
Day of fast (ages 18-59)
and of abstinence from meat (age 14 and older)Abstinence from meat
on the Fridays of LentMASSES
7:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.SCRIPTURE SERVICES
8:30 a.m. 8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m.
1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Church closes at 6:45 p.m.Blessed ashes are received
within the context
of hearing God's word
which invites all to conversion
and new life in Jesus Christ
WEEKDAY
MASSES
7:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. Saturday)
12:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament daily
WEEKEND
SUNDAY MASSES
5:30 p.m. Saturday (Vigil)
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
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SOUPTALK:
FOOD FOR BODY AND SOULEach Monday evening through March 17, at 6:30, share a simple supper of delicious soup and bread in the Community Center, followed by a talk and a Q&A session and prayer. The presenter will extend the spirit of the weekend liturgy by offering a brief, prayerful reflection on the Sunday Gospel. Your body and your spirit will be fed! No charge, but please call 212.288.5082 to reserve your place.
FEBRUARY 11 ― THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT (MT 4:1-11)
Deacon Joseph Pino
FEBRUARY 18 ― THE TRANSFIGURATION (MT 17:1-9)
Father Ernest Falardeau, S.S.S.
FEBRUARY 25 — THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (JN 4:5-42)
Robin Drayer
MARCH 3 — THE MAN BORN BLIND (JN 9:1-41)
John Lantry
MARCH 10 — THE RAISING OF LAZARUS (JN 11:1-45)
Father Bernard Camiré, S.S.S.
MARCH 17 — SERVANT AND SON OF GOD (MT 21:1-11; 26:14-27:66)
Father Anthony Schueller, S.S.S.
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LET THE WORD SPEAK!Weekly Bible Study on the Sunday Lectionary
Tuesday
Parish House
7:00 p.m.Want to enrich your hearing of God's word at Mass? Come together with others to read and pray and share the Scriptures. Sessions are led by a member of the parish staff and last one hour.
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PRAY FOR OUR NEW MEMBERSThe enthusiastic faith of new members enriches our community. Pray for those preparing for the sacraments of initiation and also for the children and young people preparing for First Communion and confirmation.
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RECONCILIATIONCONFESSION
Monday through Saturday
Sunday
11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
4:30-5:25 p.m. (Saturday)
7:00-7:25 p.m.Wednesday, March 12
Holy Thursday, March 20
Communal Penance Service with Individual Confession
7:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 NoonHoly Saturday, March 22
10:00 a.m.-12:00 NoonConfession available anytime
at the Parish House or by appointment
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Walk the Via Crucis. Retrace the final moments of Jesus' earthly life and witness a love that is faithful unto death.
STATIONS OF THE CROSSFriday
Following the 12:15 p.m. Mass
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LENTEN DAY OF PRAYERSATURDAY, MARCH 1
Community Center
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.Come together with other members of the parish for a "mini-retreat" day. The program will include short reflections, time for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and opportunities for dialogue and sharing with others. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Everyone is welcome, and we extend a special invitation to our young adults. It will enrich your life and your faith journey. Call 212.288.5082 to reserve.
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SUNG LENTEN VESPERSFIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, FEBRUARY 10
4:00 p.m.With Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
EASTER
HOLY WEEK AND THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM
Saturday Vigil Mass
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
MARCH 16, 2008
5:30 p.m.Sunday Masses
9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
HOLY THURSDAY
Mass of the Lord's Supper
MARCH 20
7:30 p.m.Adoration at the Altar of Reposition
8:30 p.m. until Midnight
GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
MARCH 21Day of fast (ages 18-59)
and of abstinence from meat (age 14 and older)Stations of the Cross
12:00 NoonSeven Last Words of Christ
1:00 p.m.Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Death
3:00 p.m.Tenebrae
7:30 p.m.
HOLY SATURDAY
MARCH 22Tenebrae
9:00 a.m.Easter Vigil
7:30 p.m.No other services
EASTER SUNDAY
RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
MARCH 23Sunday Masses
9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Solemn Vespers and Procession
MAY 25
4:00 p.m.
