ARTICLES

Guidelines for Lent and Easter, 2008

The following information was provided by the diocesan Office of Worship:

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.

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.

Worship environment

During Lent the sanctuary should not to be decorated with flowers (CB, no. 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), or even earlier, on the Monday after Laetare Sunday.

Baptismal font

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. However, devotions such as the Stations of the Cross might well be celebrated in separate languages.

Ash Wednesday

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

Observed this year on March 16. 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.

Chrism Mass

The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 17, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.

Parishes are to properly dispose of their old oils (by burning or burying them in the ground) prior to the Chrism Mass (please do not bring them with you to the Cathedral). Parish representatives should bring 3 clearly marked containers to the designated spot before the liturgy, and retrieve them afterwards

Holy Thursday (March 20)

Lent ends with the beginning of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which is the principal and only Mass of the day.

The tabernacle is emptied before liturgy begins. Communion under both forms is the norm. Enough bread should be consecrated at this Mass for the liturgy of Good Friday as well.

The washing of the feet (mandatum) is an act of humility and service which inspires the community to do the same. The number of people need not be limited to 12, and the feet of both men and women may be washed.

It is appropriate that the oils blessed and consecrated at the Chrism Mass be carried in at the presentation of the gifts. The proper rubrics and prayers for the presentation of the oils are found in the Sacramentary Supplement or on the USCCB liturgy website.

Following the prayer after communion, the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the place of reposition. The place of reposition should be decorated simply.

Under no circumstances is the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed in a monstrance. The faithful should be encouraged to spend some time in adoration throughout the remainder of the evening. There is no adoration after midnight (CL 55, 56).

Under no circumstances is it permitted to reserve the Precious Blood for adoration on Holy Thursday and for distribution on Good Friday (Norms #30).

After Mass, the altar is stripped and the sanctuary is cleared of flowers and adornments. Votive candles should not be lit before the images of saints (CL 57).

Good Friday (March 21)

The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer, is strongly encouraged.

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, the principal celebration of this day, is traditionally celebrated at 3 p.m. Other devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross, may be celebrated but should in no way compete with the principal liturgy of the day.

During the Veneration of the Cross, only one cross (preferably a bare cross, not a crucifix) should be used; using additional crosses diminishes the symbolism of the “one” cross as the symbol of victory and salvation.

Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil (March 22)

The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer, is strongly encouraged.

The Easter Vigil should begin at a time that allows for new fire to break the darkness of night. Sunset this year will occur at approximately 7:38 pm; therefore, so that it can begin in total darkness, the Easter Vigil may not be scheduled before 8 p.m.

It is recommended that the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) be sung by one who can do so with grace and beauty. At least three of the seven Old Testament readings should be used, including reading number three from Exodus. The Glory to God should be sung. Communion under both kinds is the norm in the Diocese of Richmond.

Adults and children of catechetical age being baptized or brought into full communion during the Easter Vigil (RCIA 562–594) are to be confirmed by the presiding priest (RCIA 588).

Delegation has been given by Bishop DiLorenzo to confirm those baptized uncatechized Catholics who have been part of the Christian initiation process. Questions should be directed to the Office of Worship.

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