Jesus’ temptation reveals the way in which the Son of God is Messiah, contrary to the way Satan proposes to him and the way men wish to attribute to him. This is why Christ vanquished the Tempter for us: “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning.” By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert. [CCC 540]
LENT is a season of spiritual preparation for Easter. It is a time of renewal when persons planning to join the Church are prepared. A time of penance when Christians seek forgiveness for sins, to reconcile themselves with God, the Church and members of the community, and to strengthen faith. Lent comes from Middle English and means “springtime.” These days help us to prepare to celebrate more fully the death and resurrection of Jesus. Wherever you are, do not miss attending the Easter Vigil!
LENTEN REGULATIONS
1. Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. This means that all the faithful between the ages of 18-59, who are otherwise in good health, should eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday. Two lighter meals are also permitted. In addition, the law of abstinence requires that all of those who are 14 years of age or over are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.
2. Similarly, Good Friday is also a day of fast and abstinence. The same rules apply as on Ash Wednesday. (This is part of the most ancient fast in the Church, the Paschal Fast for Easter. The Holy See encourages all to continue that fast, where possible, into Holy Saturday. This is especially true for the catechumens and candidates for initiation.)
3. The Fridays of Lent are to be observed as days of abstinence. For those 14 years of age and over, no meat is to be eaten on those days.
4. Each individual Catholic should resolve to engage in other activities of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and mortification during the 40 days of Lent. The celebration of Mass, sacramental reconciliation, generous assistance to the poor and religious/charitable causes should be a part of everyone’s Lent.