Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive. On Ash Wednesday, a universal day of fast, ashes are blessed and distributed normally during mass and after the homily. The Blessing and giving of ashes may be done also outside Mass. In this case the entire liturgy of the word should be celebrated: entrance song, opening prayer, readings and chants, homily, blessing and giving of ashes, general intercessions.

2. FAST AND ABSTINENCE

All Catholics who have reached their fourteenth year are bound to abstain entirely from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. All Catholics between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine inclusive are also bound to observe the law of fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Two other light meals, which together do not equal a full meal, may be taken during the day.

3. PENANCE

Opportunities for the sacrament of Reconciliation should be provided throughout Lent. Parish penance services and times for the sacrament in addition to the normal parish schedule, especially during the Triduum, are encouraged. (Please note that penance services are to include confession of sins to the confessor followed immediately by individual absolution of the penitent.)

4. GENERAL ABSOLUTION

During Lent many parishes celebrate penance services for children and for adults in preparation for the Easter Triduum. Please remember that General Absolution cannot be offered unless it is evident that it will be one month or longer before those present can celebrate individual reconciliation. Although this may be the case in nursing homes or prisons in the diocese, the proximity of parishes with regularly scheduled times for penance as well as the availability of priests to celebrate the sacrament on an appointment basis are reasons why general absolution is not offered at parish penance services. For further advice, please feel free to contact the Chancellor's Office or Office of Worship.

5. HOLY WATER

Some communities empty the holy water fonts and/or baptismal font during the season of Lent. While this practice has some grassroots support, it does not appear in any of the liturgical books. We sign ourselves with water upon entering the church as a reminder of baptism, but it can also act as a function of ritual cleansing in harmony with the spirit of the season of Lent. More properly, holy water fonts may be emptied at the beginning of the celebration of the Triduum on Holy Thursday evening. The fonts are replenished during the sprinkling of the assembly after the Renewal of Baptismal Promises at the Easter Vigil.

6. DIOCESAN DAY OF RECONCILIATION

On March 29, 2010, Monday of Holy Week, all Catholics of the Diocese are invited to come and be reconciled, that we might celebrate the Paschal Mystery with heart and mind renewed. The availability of priests for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 3:00 - 9:00 PM has been widely publicized. In the last several years that we have done this, many people have expressed their appreciation for the generosity of the priests in this endeavor.

Attached is a sheet that you may wish to provide for your parishioners which includes an examination of conscience and how to celebrate the sacrament.

7. HOLY THURSDAY

The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. Ordinarily, no other Mass may be celebrated on Holy Thursday.

8. CHRISM MASS

Bishop Murphy invites all the priests to concelebrate at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 11:00 AM at the Cathedral of Saint Agnes. Priests will vest (diocesan chasubles) in the lower hall of the school gymnasium and the procession will begin at 10:50. The Oils will be distributed in the St. Agnes Parish Center immediately after the Mass. No cards are needed to accept the oil. If, however, you are sending someone other than a priest, please provide the person you delegate with a letter indicating that they represent your parish and instruct them to go to the parish center. There will be no announcement about this at the Mass.

9. GOOD FRIDAY PRESIDER

Concerning Good Friday, the pastor or priest whom the pastor delegates, is to preside at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion. It is not permissible for a deacon to preside at the Good Friday liturgy.

10. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL DURING TRIDUUM

The question is frequently asked concerning funeral rites and the funeral Mass during the Paschal Triduum or on Holydays of Obligation. "The funeral Mass... may be celebrated on any day except solemnities that are days of obligation, the Easter Triduum and the Sundays of Advent, Lent and the Easter season." (GIRM, 380; Third Edition). When a funeral Mass is not permitted, there can be a Liturgy of the Word with the Final Commendation. A memorial Mass could then be scheduled at a later date.