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LENTEN PRACTICES

40 Days for Life – You are encouraged during the penitential season of Lent to peacefully and prayerfully picket whenever you can at Planned Parenthood at 123 E. Indiana Ave, joining the spiritual power of fasting to the praying of the Holy Rosary. Information about the efficacy of saving babies’ lives is available at: http://www.40daysforlife.com/spokane.

Easter Duty - All Catholics are obliged under pain of mortal sin to receive Holy Communion at least once during the Easter time. In the United States, Easter time begins on the First Sunday of Lent and ends on Trinity Sunday (May 30).

Fasting - Everyone between the ages of 21 and 59 inclusive is bound to observe the law of fast. The days of fast are all the days in Lent except Sundays. On days of fast only one full meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals sufficient to maintain strength may be taken but together they should not equal a normal main meal. Meat may be taken at the principal meal on a day of fast except on days of complete abstinence. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. Pregnant or nursing mothers are always exempt. In doubt concerning your obligation to fast and abstain, consult the parish priest or confessor.

Abstinence - Everyone 7 years of age and older is bound to observe the law of abstinence. Complete abstinence from meat must be observed on Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday. On days of partial abstinence, i.e. Ember Wednesday and Saturday, meat and soup or gravy made from meat may be taken only once a day at the principle meal.

Suggested Penances – In addition to the mandatory penance imposed by the Church, the following are encouraged: get up earlier to attend weekday Masses, go to Confession more often, perform the Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy more, give up at least some of your usual entertainments, give up desserts & foods you like, kneel for longer periods of time, mortify your curiosity by refraining from news media, practice periods of silence to mortify the tongue.

Forty Hours - Every year we observe this beautiful devotion on the weekend of the 2nd Sunday of Lent. It is done in memory of the forty hours during which the body of Jesus lay in the sepulcher and is obligatory in each parish church. To show their love and appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament, all families and individual of the parish should assist at Mass and make at least one holy hour during these days of grace. Remember that the nearest approach to a foretaste of Heaven is the time spent in silent adoration of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar. Be sure to pick up the Forty Hours' flier in the vestibule.

Stations of the Cross - Every Friday during Lent at 2:30 and 7:30 pm. This is a most heavily indulgenced in the Catholic Church. It is believed to have been originated by Our Lady herself who walked the Way of the Cross may a time in Jerusalem. A plenary indulgence is granted each time that the Way of the Cross is made with a contrite heart.

Mother of Sorrows Chaplet - This is a kind of Rosary prayed in honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary with seven decades, each consisting of an Our Father, seven Hail Marys, and a Glory Be. The Seven Sorrows are: The Prophecy of Simeon, The Flight into Egypt, the Three Days' Loss of Jesus, the Meeting with Jesus on the Way of the Cross, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus, the Taking Down from the Cross and the Burial of Jesus. You will honor and console your Heavenly Mother by devoutly meditating on her Sorrows!

Lenten Spiritual Reading - Suggested spiritual reading during the Lenten season: The Passion of Christ, The Dolorous Passion, The Passion of Jesus & Its Hidden Meaning, Christ's Appeal for Love, Wood of the Cradle, Wood of the Cross, Splendor of Sorrow, The Sinner's Return to God, The Sinner's Guide, Spirit of Penance.

Lenten Day of Recollection – This will take place on Saturday, April 9, beginning with the 8 am Mass. All are welcome to attend. There will be two talks in the morning and two in the afternoon, with plenty of quiet time for prayer and meditation. The talks and devotions are free of charge; lunch and dinner will be provided for a fee of $15 but you must sign up in advance with the parish secretary. More information on the schedule and the talks will be upcoming