LENT 

The liturgical season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and ends on Holy Thursday Evening (April 1) at the start of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this penitential season, the church refrains from singing the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” in the Introductory Rite and the “Alleluia” before the Gospel Reading. (The exception to this rule, however, is that the ‘Gloria’ is sung on March 19 for the feast of St. Joseph and on March 25 for the feast of the Annunciation.)

This Lenten season serves a two-fold purpose for the Catholic community. It encourages all members to reflect and express sorrow for sins by Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. It also is the time that the Catechumens, now referred to as the elect, prepare with greater intensity for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil (April 3).

During this season, the elect undergo three rites that are not part of any other liturgical season. First, they are sent to the Cathedral to be chosen (hence the word ‘elect’) by the Bishop (or his representative) to receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Second, they are dismissed after the homily on all six Sundays of Lent for more intense discussion of the Scripture Readings for the day. Third, they participate in three ‘Scrutinies’ on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent. These ‘Scrutinies’ are prayers that are said on behalf of the elect that they might be freed from the power of sin and grow in virtue as they prepare for the reception of the Easter sacraments.         Just as Lent (which is a word in Old English that means ‘springtime’) is an important season for the elect, so also is it important for the rest of the Catholic Community. Lent cannot be understood apart from the Sacrament of Baptism. As the elect are now preparing for the reception of Baptism for the first time, we Catholics are preparing to renew our Baptismal promises at the Easter Feast.

            Easter is the Baptismal feast. Christ will die to this earthly life and rise to new life with the Creator. So we must also spend this time of Lent in dying to earthly sin and rising to renew our life and promises with Christ that began at our Baptism.