Lent: Time of preparation
My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In the early Church, Lent was a time of final preparation for the catechumens who were to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Today, we are all called to prepare to receive the resurrected Christ in our lives. We are called to turn away from sin, to perform acts of sacrifice, and deepen our relationship with the Lord. We are called to conversion so that, together with the catechumens, we can truly experience the joy of Easter.
It is my prayer that, during the 40 days of Lent, you will make every effort to embrace opportunities for grace and spiritual growth. Consider going to Mass more than just once a week, attend Stations of the Cross or other Lenten devotions, set time aside each day to read the Bible or, in the silence of your heart, listen for the Lord to speak to you. Let prayer guide you along your Lenten journey and, at least once, stop to receive the blessings of the sacrament of reconciliation.
This Lent, I hope you will also spend time making sacrifices that help you to become more committed to discipleship. This is the time to support parish projects that aid the poor, the neglected and the marginalized in our communities. Visiting the aged, contributing to charities, and practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy can all help us to come closer to Christ as we become Christ to others.
Fast and abstinence, too, are integral parts of our Lenten penance so, in this letter, I have included instructions on them. Not merely a list of rules and regulations, the instructions should be viewed as practices which will fortify us on our lenten journey. Part of our Catholic tradition, restraint in eating and drinking and fasting from meat on the Fridays of Lent, are specific sacrifices we can make to become connected to the larger Church and the Body of Christ.
Let this Lent be a gift you welcome. Make it a time of transformation so that, together with our catechumens, you will be prepared to give witness to the Risen Christ.
Sincerely in the Lord,
+ Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski
Bishop of Metuchen
Bishop Bootkoski’s instructions for Lent 2007
Following are Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski’s instructions for the 2007 Lenten season.
So that the Church of Metuchen may be spiritually one in a common observance of Lent, the following days of fast and abstinence are to be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who enjoy the blessings of good health:
1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
3. From the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until the celebration of the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter fast should be observed so that, with uplifted and welcoming hearts, we may be ready to celebrate the joys of the Resurrection. This ancient tradition, intimately connected with the Rites of Holy Week and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is encouraged, especially in those places baptizing catechumens at the Easter Vigil.
The obligation to fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. To fast in the Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal during the day so as to experience hunger.
The obligation of abstinence affects all Catholics who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat and all meat products.
The obligation of fast and abstinence, as a whole, is a serious obligation. While failure to observe any penitential day in itself may not be considered serious, the failure to observe any penitential days at all, or a substantial number of them without good cause, would be considered a grave matter. Those unable to abstain for a valid reason on any given Friday of Lent are asked to perform some other penitential act, or to abstain on another day.
May all our lenten prayers, fasting and works of mercy help prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord with renewed minds and hearts.
+ Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski
Bishop of Metuchen
(If you would like these instructions emailed to your parish, please send a request to jlynch@diometuchen.org)
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law