What is Lent? Revised Version Mr. Pablo Cuadra Religion Class

What is Lent? Lent is one of the five liturgical seasons in the liturgical year. During this time the People of God are called to commemorate and reflect on the Lord’s passion through spiritual preparation, conversion, and penance. This Holy Season is an invitation to renew our baptismal call. To live as Sons and daughters of God and disciples of Christ, our Lord and savior.

What is the meaning of the word Lent? Lent is a Germanic word that basically means spring season. The Latin equivalent is quadragesima a word meaning “forty days”. Spring is a time of change and renewal The winter is over life begins to grow again. Lent is a spiritual spring, a time for spiritual growth and renewal.

Did you know? Lent is preceded by the first section of Ordinary time and followed by the season of Easter.

When does Lent Begin? The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Did you know? Catholics are not the only Christians celebrating Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is celebrated by other Christian denominations such as: Lutherans, Episcopalians, Anglicans, and Methodists.

Did you know? On Ash Wednesday one billion Catholics around the world go to Church to receive the Ashes during mass or outside the mass. Catholics then begin the Holy season of Lent.

Why is it called Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is so called because on this day Ashes are used to mark Catholics on their foreheads as a sign of conversion and repentance. Did you know? The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the blessed palms left over from the previous year. The palms are burnt to produce the ashes. Ashes are considered sacramentals and are blessed before their use.

What is the meaning of the Ashes? A. The ashes are a symbol of repentance and conversion. B. The ashes act as a reminder that we are called to die to sin and return to God wholeheartedly. C. The ashes are a symbol that reminds us that life is fragile and that one must be ready to face our creator.

What phrases are used to impose the ashes? During the Ash Wednesday service two phrases or formulas are used to impose (place) the ashes on the forehead of Catholics. These formulas are: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel”. “You are dust and into dust you shall return.”

What is the meaning behind these phrases? These phrases are invitation to: A. Repentance B. Reconciliation C. Penance D. Discipleship

How do we prepare spiritually for Lent? A. By letting go of sinful behavior B. By seeking conversion (interior change) C. By practicing Penance D. By following the teachings of Christ. (Discipleship) E. By practicing the three pillars of Lent.

What are the three pillars of Lent? A. Prayer B. Fasting C. Almsgiving

What is Penance? Penance: is making amends Amends = Making up for what we do wrong. Lent is an opportunity to clean up the inner mess and fix our lives and our relationship with God and neighbor.

Why is Fasting different from Dieting? Fasting is an spiritual exercise. For the Hebrews fasting was more than just afflicting one’s body. Fasting involved the afflicting of one’s soul through the denial of our wants and desires. Is a form of spiritual ascetism, self-control Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness and penance. Dieting is something we do for health or cosmetic reasons.

Lenten Regulations All dioceses have their own regulations for fasting. Please call your local parish or diocese to find out what the regulations are for your particular diocese. The following regulations are example from the Archdiocese of Miami: All the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Meat may not be eaten. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics fourteen years of age and older. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are also days of fast. All Catholics between the ages of 21 and 59 years old are bound to fast. On days of fast, one full meal and two lesser meals are allowed. Eating between meals is not permitted. St. Mary’s Cathedral Miami, Florida

How can we improve our prayer life during Lent? Increase and improve the quality of your prayer experience. You may do this by dividing your prayer time in three parts: A. Morning B. Afternoon C. Evening Spend 15 to 20 minutes alone, meditating, talking to God.

How can we improve our prayer life during Lent? A. Become familiar with the life and teachings of Jesus by reading the Gospels. B. Each day read a different chapter from each of the Gospels. C. Try to visualized what is happening.

What is Almsgiving? Almsgiving is another word for Charity. A. Charity is love in action. B. Charity is a way to reach out to those who are in need. For example: collecting food cans for the hungry, sponsoring a child in a needed area, supporting your local diocesan charities. C. Almsgiving is a form of self-denial, sacrifice on behalf of others.

Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for Lent 2008 (excerpt) Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the personal encounter with our Redeemer and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to rediscover our Baptism. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves – just as she did – in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life. To read the entire message please visit the following link: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20101104_lent-2011_en.html

How long is the season of Lent? The season of Lent is forty days long not counting Sundays.

What is the Biblical meaning for the number forty? In the biblical sense forty is a time of purification and preparation. A. It took forty years for Israel to get ready and enter the promised Land. B. It took forty days and forty night for the earth to be purified from sin in the story of the flood. C. Jesus prayed forty days and forty nights to prepare for his public ministry.

What is discipleship? Discipleship is the process of learning to be a disciple. The word disciple means “student”. Student is the one who learns from the master. Discipleship is learning to be like Christ.

How do we learn to be like Christ? A. Study Christ’s teachings. B. Let Christ’s teachings affect your life. C. Follow Christ’s teachings D. Witness Christ’s teachings in your life and in the world.

Reflection from “The Cost of Discipleship” "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth which has a place for the Fatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son. … There is trust in God, but no following of Christ." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What is the Color of Lent? The liturgical color of Lent is purple. Purple is a symbol of Penance.

What story is read the first Sunday of Lent? The story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. The story is found in Matthew 4:1-11

What are the three universal temptations? A. The temptation for pleasure regardless of the consequences. B. The temptation for power; the need to control and dominate others. C. The temptation for popularity, the need to be greater than God. Self-idolatry. Like Jesus, We must avoid these trappings in every day life.

Why are Sundays not counted during Lent? Because Sunday is the day of the “resurrection”. For Christians every Sunday is like a mini Easter.

What is the climax of the season of Lent? The climax of the season of Lent is Holy Week. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends with the Holy Triddum. Triddum means: three days. These days are: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.

The Community of Faith During Lent parishes expand the opportunities for sacramental confession. Don’t miss this opportunity. Also during Lent many parishes have penitential services and parish missions. Make plans to attend. Lent is great time for devotion and personal piety. This is a great opportunity to pray the stations of the cross and meditate on the Lord’s passion. Lent is a great opportunity to go on a retreat. Contact your local diocese and find out what retreats are taking place in your diocese. Invite others to come along.

Resources online The U.S. Bishops’ conference has great online resources for this Lenten season. Their link is: http://www.usccb.org/lent/

Thomas Merton’s Prayer MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. For more presentations please visit: http://www.slideshare.net/pcuadra/slideshows

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