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ARTICLES
Guidelines for Lent and Easter 2007, Part 1
The following guidelines are from the diocesan Office of Worship:
The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initiation by means of the rite of election, the scrutinies, and catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer, are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.
— CEREMONIAL OF BISHOPS CB, 249
Regulations for Fast and Abstinence
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. 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.
Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence.
Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, other suitable forms of self-denial are encouraged.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.
The Celebration of the Sacraments and the Rites
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For RCIA catechumens and candidates, the combined Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated:
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St. Anne, Bristol, February 23, 7 pm
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St. Thomas More, Lynchburg, February 24 at 2 pm
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The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, February 25 at 2 pm
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St. Gregory the Great, Virginia Beach, March 3, at 11 am
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo will call forth those preparing for baptism and recognize the candidates preparing to be fully initiated or entering into the full communion of the Catholic Church at Easter.
The Rite of Sending of the Catechumens for Election and the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop, including signing the Book of the Elect by the catechumens, should be celebrated in parishes beforehand. In addition, the Penitential Rite for baptized candidates preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist may be celebrated on the Second Sunday of Lent, March 4, 2007 (RCIA 459–472). The Scrutinies for the Elect (unbaptized) are celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent.
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Because Lent is oriented toward the celebration of the sacraments of initiation at Easter, care must be taken to maintain this central focus. Honoring the most ancient of customs, the baptism of infants normally should not take place during Lent except in the case of emergency or pastoral necessity. Infant baptisms during the Easter Season follow the traditional custom of the Church. As such, the celebration of confirmations and the reception of first communion are more appropriate during the Easter Season.
The Sacrament of Penance
During Lent the faithful should be urged to take a greater and more fruitful share in the Lenten liturgy. It is very appropriate for the sacrament of reconciliation to be celebrated during Lent in a more solemn form, as described in the Rite of Penance (RP 22–30; 48–59).
The faithful should be clearly and positively encouraged to receive this sacrament during Lent. Schedules for confessions and communal celebrations should be arranged in each parish and among parishes so that all may be served adequately. Ideally, the faithful should celebrate the sacrament of Penance before the Easter Triduum begins.
Funerals during Lent
Good liturgical practice would suggest reflecting the liturgical season in the choice of music and scripture.
On the Sundays of Lent, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, a Funeral Mass may not be celebrated. On these days the body of the deceased may be brought into the church for Funeral Liturgy outside Mass using the Order of Christian Funerals, Part I Chapter 4. A Mass for the deceased should be offered as soon as is convenient after Easter Sunday (OCF 107–203).
Marriages during Lent
Marriages during the season of Lent should respect the penitential character of the season; that is, a marked moderation in festivity. No flowers are allowed in the sanctuary (CB 252). The celebration of marriage (and the convalidation of marriage) is not permitted during the Easter Triduum (RM 11).
Communion for the Sick
Communion may be brought to the sick on all days except Holy Saturday. On Holy Saturday, Communion may be given only in the form of viaticum. Communion services outside of the liturgy are not held on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Lent and the Worship Environment
During Lent the altar should not be decorated with flowers (CB 252). The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday), solemnities, and feasts are exceptions to this rule. On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, rose-colored vestments may be used (CB 252). The cross may be covered on Good Friday (CL 26 and Ordo).
Holy Water Fonts
In the past, some parishes have emptied the baptismal font and other receptacles for holy water during the entire Lenten Season. While well intentioned, this does not reflect a sound liturgical theology or practice.
The use of holy water as a sacramental is a primary symbol of our baptism and has long been encouraged by the Church for the devotion of the faithful. Liturgical norms indicate that the fonts may be emptied of holy water only at the beginning of the Triduum.
Particular Liturgies
In those parishes that celebrate a Sunday liturgy in another language, every effort should be made so that the three principal Triduum liturgies (Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil) are multi-lingual.
Ash Wednesday — February 21
The blessing and distribution of ashes may take place at either a celebration of the Eucharist or at a Liturgy of the Word. The blessing and distribution of ashes follow the homily. The ordinary minister for blessing the ashes is a priest or deacon, while others (e.g. extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion) may assist with the distribution of ashes. There is no Act of Penitence (Penitential Rite) at the beginning of this liturgy.
Passion (Palm) Sunday — April 1
On this day the Church remembers Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. The commemoration on this day with the blessing of palms and the procession is not an historical re-enactment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem but a ritual action that marks our entry into Holy Week and the celebration of the Christian Passover.
Three forms are offered for the beginning of the liturgy on this day: the procession, the solemn entrance, and the simple entrance. Masses beginning with either the solemn entrance or the procession omit the Act of Penitence (Penitential Rite).
The Passion proclaimed on this day is essential to the liturgy and cannot be omitted. It may be proclaimed using one, three or more readers. Lay persons are allowed to do any of the parts.
(Part 2 of the Guidelines for Lent and Easter will appear in the Feb. 26 issue of The Catholic Virginian.)
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