Dear All,
We are now in the season of Lent. We hear of the 40 days of Lent –which if you count the days accurately – do not include Sundays. Which means if you are having a party, it really should be on a Sunday.
Lent is a special season and calls for austerity to reflect the themes of penitence. The music, the liturgies, the simplicity of the altar setting clearly state that Lent is a time when there are changes from our normal way of doing things in Sunday liturgy. We neither sing nor say the word “Alleluia.” We do not have any flowers at the altar – instead we use greens. If you notice, there is no metal ‘dinnerware’ used for communion. We have wood candlesticks, ceramic chalices and patens, and a wooden missal stand.
The Lenten array is what we use for the lectern/pulpit hangings and for the Officiant’s chasuble. The Lenten array is not a color but is a shrouding or veiling of the colors and gilt as far as possible during that season of the Church’s year when the more enervating things of life are laid aside for a time by devout churchmen. Materials of unbleached linen or light-toned holland are used to veil the tabernacle and crosses may be veiled in like manner. All these veils may be relieved with symbolic devices stenciled or embroidered in red or black; or motifs may be cut out in red and black felt and applied to the veils. The symbol on the veil should give some hint of the nature of the thing that is veiled.
The First Sunday of Lent begins with The Great Litany. The gateway to Easter joy is the acknowledgement of our limitations and the seeking of forgiveness. It is one of the chief ways we prepare for Easter. The Great Litany has been used in the Church for centuries. Today, we join our Christian brothers and sisters who have gone before us as we pray this litany.
Sunday liturgy for Lent 2 through Lent 5
The remaining Sunday liturgies in Lent will begin with the Penitential Order. This draws our attention to our sinful nature and need for God’s forgiveness.
I invite all of you into a holy Lent – to consider this a time of change and growth; a time to reflect on your faith life and your commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; a time to prepare yourself to receive God’s grace as one of his children, holy and beloved. May all of you find newness of life and forgiveness of sins during our forty days of Lent.
Last, but not least, I encourage you NOT to give up something for Lent but rather take on something. Such as a few more minutes for prayer each day. Or showing kindness to someone. Or caring for yourself a bit more. What might be something/task/ministry you might take on for Lent?
Please remember your prayers for all in our world. Especially the lonely and forgotten.
Blessings,
Karen+