Pastor’s Column

LENTEN REGULATIONS

1. Abstinence. All persons, 14 years and older, are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

2. Fasting. Everyone from ages 18 to 59 is obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Voluntary fasting on other weekdays of Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, is highly recommended. Fasting is generally understood to mean that one full meal may be eaten. Two other small meals (collations) may be eaten, but together they should not equal a full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted.

Please note that, traditionally, those who reasonably could not fast on the appointed days, especially the sick, those engaged in heavy labor for their wages, and pregnant women, were always excused from fasting.

We highly encourage the observance of the traditional discipline of Lent, which would mean daily fasting and abstinence from meat from Ash Wednesday until after None (3 pm) on the Vigil of Easter.

SCHEDULE FOR LENT

1. Ash Wednesday. Masses at 7 am, noon, and 6 pm (Solemn). Ashes will be available at each of the Masses.
2. Sung or Solemn Masses for Feasts.
   1. Mar 17, St. Patrick, Sung Mass at 6 pm.
   2. Mar 20, St. Joseph, Sung Mass at 6 pm.
   3. Mar 25, Annunciation, Sung Mass at noon.
3. Stations of the Cross. Every Friday during Lent, after the noon and 6 pm Masses.
4. Lenten Soup Meals. Fridays during Lent, after the Stations of the Cross following the 6 pm Mass. Contact: Mike McVean (916-747-3021).
5. Holy Week. April 2-8.
   1. Palm Sunday. Normal schedule. Procession at 1 pm.
   2. Monday to Wednesday. Normal schedule.
   3. Holy Thursday. Tenebrae at 8 am. Confessions at 11:30 am. Mass at 6 pm.
   4. Good Friday. Tenebrae at 8 am. Confessions at 11:30 am. Stations of the Cross at noon. Mass of the Presanctified at 1 pm. A collection for the Holy Land is taken during the Mass.
   5. Holy Saturday. No Tenebrae (preparation rites for adult converts will be taking place in the morning). Vigil Mass at 4 pm.