Resources for Lent
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As we enter into the sacred season of Lent, we invite you to explore the resources and opportunities available to deepen your faith. Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal—a time to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Below, you will find guidelines for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
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Guidelines for Lenten Practices
1. Prayer
Set aside time each day for personal prayer and reflection. Consider incorporating traditional Lenten prayers such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, or the Liturgy of the Hours into your daily routine.
Join our parish community for special Lenten services, including:
2. Fasting
On Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays in Lent and Good Friday, Catholics are asked to give up meat. Also, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics from age 18 through 59, are asked to fast by having one full meal and two lighter meals those days with no eating between meals.
Why Fast?
Consider additional forms of fasting such as abstaining from sweets, alcohol, or other indulgences as a way of detaching from worldly pleasures and focusing on spiritual renewal.
Remember that fasting should be accompanied by prayer and almsgiving, as a means of deepening our relationship with God and expressing solidarity with the poor.
3. Almsgiving
Embrace the spirit of generosity by supporting those in need through acts of charity and compassion. Contribute to our Lenten almsgiving initiatives, including supporting the OLPH Food Pantry, clothing donations, and fundraisers for charitable organizations.
Look for opportunities to serve the marginalized and vulnerable members of our community through volunteering and outreach programs.
Set aside time each day for personal prayer and reflection. Consider incorporating traditional Lenten prayers such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, or the Liturgy of the Hours into your daily routine.
Join our parish community for special Lenten services, including:
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays in the Church at 7:00 pm (Visit the Event Finder Page for details.)
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Adoration Thursdays (in the Chapel)
2. Fasting
On Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays in Lent and Good Friday, Catholics are asked to give up meat. Also, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics from age 18 through 59, are asked to fast by having one full meal and two lighter meals those days with no eating between meals.
Why Fast?
- Spiritual Discipline: Fasting cultivates self-discipline and strengthens willpower.
- Deepens Prayer Life: Creates space for increased prayer and reflection.
- Identification with Christ: Unites believers with Christ's sufferings and sacrifice.
- Repentance and Renewal: Provides a time for spiritual cleansing, repentance, and renewal.
- Heightened Awareness: Raises awareness of spiritual hunger and dependence on God.
- Solidarity with the Poor: Shows solidarity with the hungry and inspires acts of charity.
- Transformation: Leads to a transformed heart and mind, fostering humility and compassion.
Consider additional forms of fasting such as abstaining from sweets, alcohol, or other indulgences as a way of detaching from worldly pleasures and focusing on spiritual renewal.
Remember that fasting should be accompanied by prayer and almsgiving, as a means of deepening our relationship with God and expressing solidarity with the poor.
3. Almsgiving
Embrace the spirit of generosity by supporting those in need through acts of charity and compassion. Contribute to our Lenten almsgiving initiatives, including supporting the OLPH Food Pantry, clothing donations, and fundraisers for charitable organizations.
Look for opportunities to serve the marginalized and vulnerable members of our community through volunteering and outreach programs.
