-
March 5, 2019Lenten Requirements
by Fr. Joseph Evinger
The Season of Lent for Roman Catholics begins this Wednesday March 6. As this season prepares us for the great Paschal Mystery of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter let us keep in mind these three actions: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.
Fasting
“Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.” (USCCB)
For Byzantine Ukrainian Catholics, Lent begins on March 4, the Monday before Ash Wednesday. On this day and on Good Friday Byzantine Catholics are required to fast from meat and all meat and dairy products. There is not a mandatory requirement for the amount of other food eaten.
Almsgiving
This year during Lent our diocese offers two special collections: the African Mission Appeal and Operation Rice Bowl. Both are for good causes. Fr. David Morman a priest of our diocese is presently a missionary in Kenya, Africa. He tells of the many blessings our diocese brings to these people in their poverty through the African Mission Appeal. Operation Rice Bowl helps people in need in 45 different countries. One benefit to giving alms to this organization is that 25% of what is raised stays in one’s home diocese to help those locally in need.
Prayer
The whole purpose of fasting and almsgiving is to help us raise our thoughts and minds to God and to help our neighbor. This cannot be done if we do not have hearts of prayer. This Lent, I want to encourage you all to begin the habit of spending more time in prayer. The Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, attending an additional Mass during the week are all good ways to grow in relationship with God.