Lent and Easter Regulations


Lent

The Christian faithful are to do penance through prayer, fasting, abstinence and by exercising works of piety and charity.   All Fridays through the year, and especially during Lent, are penitential days.

Abstinence:

All who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent.

Fasting:

All those who are 18 and older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday (21 Feb 07) and Good Friday (6 Apr 07).   Only one full meal is allowed on days of fast.   Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs.   But together, they should not equal a full meal.   Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.

The obligation does not apply to those whose health or ability to work would be seriously affected.   People in doubt about fast or abstinence should consult a parish priest.   The obligation does not apply to military personnel in deployed or hostile environments in which they have no control over meals.

Easter Duty:

All Catholics are to worthily receive Holy Communion at least once in the time period beginning on the First Sunday of Lent (25 Feb 2007) and ending on Trinity Sunday (3 June 2007).

Distribution of Ashes:

The distribution of Ashes should take place in a sacred place such as a church or a chapel.  The Order for the Distribution of Ashes provides that ashes should be distributed:

1. During Mass following the homily
2. At a (Catholic) Service of the Word
The Minister for Distribution of Blessed Ashes is a priest, a deacon, or a Catholic lay person.

Why Ashes?

On this day the Church invites us to receive a cross of ashes on our foreheads as a sign that during the coming days of Lent we will make a sincere effort to cleanse our lives of sin and to discipline ourselves through prayer and fasting.

Who May Receive Ashes?

Baptized individuals who have reached the age of reason.   Babies and young children who have not yet received the Sacrament of Penance should not be presented to receive ashes since ashes are intended for those who are capable of personal sin.   The observance of Ash Wednesday is intended to lead the baptized members of the Church to repentance and renewal of baptismal promises at Easter.