Lenten Practices

In the penitential season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, the Gloria and Alleluia are omitted, violet vestments are worn, and the use of the organ is restricted to accompanying singing. The faithful are called to a heightened order of penitence, fasting, abstinence, and almsgiving. Making a good confession, attending daily Mass, reading spiritual books, practicing the Stations of the Cross, and praying the Rosary are all good ways to honor the Lenten season that precedes the holiest day of the year.

How Can The Church of St. Agnes Help?

Sacraments
We offer 6 Masses and 2.5 hours of Confession EVERY day of the work week, all year long. The season of Lent is a great time to make use of the sacraments and resources of the church.  
 
Eucharistic Exposition
Every week, five days a week, St. Agnes offers three hours of continual Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Make time -even 10 minutes - to spend a quiet moment with the Lord.
 
Vespers & Benediction
Led by a priest, Vespers (evening prayer, a book is provided; copies are available for sale in the bookstore) and Benediction begin at 4:55pm every weekday.  Try something new!
 
Stations of the Cross
Led by a priest every Friday in Lent after the 5:10 PM Mass. Booklets are provided for the faithful so that we can all pray together.
 
Rosary
Prayed every day after the 5:10pm Mass (except on Fridays during Lent) and led by a priest after the 12:10pm Mass on Saturday. Need a Rosary? Our bookstore has a wonderful selection!
 
Spiritual Reading
Visit our bookstore for a new book or devotion, or revisit a classic. Lent is a time of reflection and good spiritual books can make this much easier for us!

Law of the Eucharistic Fast

A complete fast from all food and drink for 1 hour before the reception of the Holy Eucharist is current law for all Catholics. This law is year round, not just for Lent. The fast does not include water and medicine. If you have forgotten this fast, Lent is a great time to make a new effort!

Guidelines for the Lenten Season - Current Law

Current law requires fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. During the Fridays of Lent everyone 14 years and over should abstain from flesh meat.

Fasting: Obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals.
 
Abstinence: Obligatory from age 14 onwards. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Under current law, abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Fish are a different category of animal; therefore, salt and fresh water fish and shellfish are permitted
 
Special circumstances: Those that are excused from fast and abstinence include the physically or mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting; you can always consult a priest for advice.
 

Guidelines for the Lenten Season - Discipline of 1962

The Discipline of 1962 calls for abstinence and fasting. “Flesh meat” includes foods made from meat, such as soup and gravy. If flesh meat is not allowed, neither are the foods made from it.

For all aged 7 and over, complete abstention from flesh meat on all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, the Vigil of the Assumption, and the Vigil of Christmas. A partial abstention (flesh meat at the principle meal only) is required for Ember Wednesday and Saturday and the Vigil of Pentecost.
 
For all aged 21 to 59, inclusive, one full meal is permitted (meat is allowed if it is not a day of abstinence) and two other meatless meals (which, when combined, are less than a full meal), during the entirety of Lent, on Ember Days, and the Vigils of Christmas, Pentecost, and the Assumption. 
 
Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.

Lastly, there is no requirement to fast or abstain on a Sunday during Lent.