Lenten Information
Lent is a sacred season of forty days in which the Church prepares for the celebration of Easter. Rooted in the ancient Christian tradition and faithfully observed in both the Polish National Catholic Church, Lent is a time of repentance, prayer, fasting, and renewal.
Following the example of Christ in the desert, we are invited to examine our hearts, turn away from sin, and grow deeper in our relationship with God. Through prayer, acts of charity, and self-denial, we seek spiritual renewal and a closer walk with our Lord.
In the PNCC tradition, Lent is not only a season of personal reflection but also one of communal preparation. Together as a parish family, we journey toward the Cross and ultimately toward the joy of the Resurrection. The violet color worn during this season reminds us of penance and preparation, while the absence of the Alleluia reflects the solemn nature of these holy days.
Lent calls us to begin again, trusting in God’s mercy and allowing His grace to transform our lives.
Lenten Services and Events
Wednesdays – 7:00 pm (beginning February 25th) – Stations of the Cross, Cathedral Various societies and parish ministries will read the meditations each week.
Fridays – 12 noon (beginning February 27th) – Stations of the Cross, chapel, lower chapel (Cathedral Chapel, Tripp Park attendees may worship at the hour given above on either day)
The Four Traditional Lenten Disciplines: Praying, Almsgiving, Fasting, Scripture Reading
PRAYING is the first of the Lenten disciplines:
- praying daily at home;
- praying every Sunday in Church at Mass;
- praying every week at Lenten devotions on Wednesdays and/or Fridays in the Cathedral on Wednesdays, 7:00 pm in the lower chapel on Fridays at 12:00 noon;
- coming to church 15 minutes before every Sunday Mass to read and meditate on the scripture readings provided in the order of service for the Mass;
- coming to church 15 minutes before every Sunday Mass, to read and meditate on the hymn texts selected for the Mass since hymns are poetic prayers, reflections and also tiny yet pithy sermons which can provide you with guidance and comfort.
ALMSGIVING
- monetary offerings, grants, gifts, bequests and donations:
- providing increased offerings to the Church at its various levels
– parochial, diocesan and national;
- contributing more broadly to various parish projects, needs;
- arranging the inclusion of a generous bequest to the Church from your estate after your death;
- responding to requests you receive in the mail for worthy charities;
FASTING is a long-hallowed Lenten discipline:
- adjusting your dietary routines by not eating any meat each Wednesday and Friday
– without substituting lobster and scallops for the meat you’re not eating;
- giving up one or more things through the whole season that you like to eat/drink or something you enjoy doing;
- fasting from wrongdoing, that is, doing good to others, doing acts of love towards others, doing random acts of kindness towards others.
- fasting from noise, that is, disconnecting from devices to remain periodically in silence, aural or visual, to think about your life, your Lord, your God.
READING SCRIPTURE:
- Bible reading each day through Lent on the theme of living out the Season of Lent as Resurrection People as given below.
- All these disciplines require a sacrifice
– the sacrifice of your time for prayer, Lenten devotions, scripture reading, fasting and almsgiving. These four activities comprise the Lenten mortification you hear about each year. But it’s less about the mortification of the flesh than about something much worse, and for many of us, far more painful; the Lenten mortification outlined for you above is truly about the mortification of your personal schedules
– which would need to be adjusted within the seven-week period in order to accommodate your participation in the various Lenten disciplines, as you prioritize those activities over other activities in your schedules.
The FOUR LENTEN DISCIPLINES – Praying, Fasting, Almsgiving and Daily Bible Readings
Let’s live Lent as People of the Resurrection…… ….following our Saviour as he takes up his cross. We repent of our sins. We live Lent knowing the end of the story. Our sins are forgiven, washed away in Jesus’ blood. The promise of the empty tomb is the promise of paradise!