Lenten Devotions . . .

Are you looking for something extra to do for Lent? 

Thinking of the three pillars of Lent, 'Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving',  how about joining us at 7pm on Fridays for Station of the Cross concluding with Benediction?

Or, maybe you prefer something during the day time?  Why not join us for Rosary and Benediction at 4pm on Sundays during Lent?

You would be very welcome at either devotion, or both. It would only take about half an hour of your time for either Stations or Rosary.  Please don't worry if you can't make it every week; come along whenever you can.

We look forward to seeing you!

That's sorted out your extra prayer for Lent, all you have to now is concentrate on the Fasting and Almsgiving!!

Lent . . . Passiontide . . . The Easter Triduum . . .

Today after Mass, the ironing board was much in evidence as the veils were taken out and made ready for the veiling of the statues and the Crucifix.  

Hopefully we might have a photo or two to post tomorrow.

Our Lenten preparations move into a more intense phase as we enter Passiontide and move inexorably towards Our Lord's Passion, through Palm Sunday and the incredibly moving liturgies of the Easter Triduum culminating of course in Christ's triumph over death as we celebrate His resurrection at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening.

I hope that we're going to see a full church for all our Easter liturgies.

Here are the details of the Easter Triduum at St Ann's.  I look forward to seeing you.

Changes in the Liturgy during Lent . . .

Every year around this time, I have several questions from parishioners about visible changes to the liturgy that they have noticed during Lent.

First of all, I am delighted that people do notice changes.  There is a reason for everything that we do at Mass and similarly a reason for anything that we do differently at certain times in the liturgical year.

Here is a  very helpful post on this subject. (H/T to Jimmy Akin )

A brief summary of the points made (my comments have been added in blue):

1. Instrumental music with no singing

In some parishes, instrumental music is used at certain points during Mass. A passage will be played on an organ or on another instrument or instruments, even though nobody is singing.

But not in Lent (with a few exceptions).

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states:

313. In Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts.

2. Singing or saying the Gloria

Just after Sunday Mass begins, it is common to sing or say the Gloria ("Glory to God in the highest").

But not on the Sundays of Lent.

The General Instruction states:

53. The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) . . . is sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and also on Solemnities and Feasts, and at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

3. Singing or saying the Alleleuia before the Gospel

During most of the year we sing or say the Alleluia before the reading of the Gospel.

But not in Lent.

The General Instruction states:

62. a) The Alleluia is sung in every time of year other than Lent. The verses are taken from the Lectionary or the Graduale.

b) During Lent, instead of the Alleluia, the verse before the Gospel as given in the Lectionary is sung. It is also possible to sing another Psalm or Tract, as found in the Graduale.

 4. Flowers on the altar

It is common for the altar to be decorated with flowers during most of the year (that is, there will be flowers around the altar, though not on top of the altar table itself).

But not in Lent (with a few exceptions).

The General Instruction states:

305. During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts.

In the UK Laetare Sunday also coincides with the celebration of Mothering Sunday or Mother's Day which is a secular celebration.  Whilst we do remember and honour all Mothers on this day, and rightly so; the changes to the liturgy such as the provision of flowers in the sanctuary and the rose-coloured vestments worn by the Priest and Deacon are in celebration of Laetare Sunday rather than Mother's Day.  

5. Emptying holy water fonts

In recent years, some parishes have taken the holy water out of the holy water fonts during Lent. They have even filled them with sand in some cases.

The idea, they say, is to convey the thought that Lent is a time of spiritual dryness--a "desert" experience--that precedes Easter, in which we refrain from using the sacramental of holy water.

Despite its popularity in some places, this practice is not permitted.

It has been the Church's practice to empty the holy water fonts during Triduum, but for a different reason. It is not permitted to have them empty through the whole season of Lent.

The Congregation for Divine Worship has stated:

This Dicastery is able to respond that the removing of Holy Water from the fonts during the season of Lent is not permitted, in particular, for two reasons:

1. The liturgical legislation in force does not foresee this innovation, which in addition to being "praeter legem" [i.e., "apart from the law"] is contrary to a balanced understanding of the season of Lent, which though truly being a season of penance, is also a season rich in the symbolism of water and baptism, constantly evoked in liturgical texts.

2. The encouragement of the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently of the sacraments is to be understood to apply also to the season of Lent. The "fast" and "abstinence" which the faithful embrace in this season does not extend to abstaining from the sacraments or sacramentals of the Church. 

The practice of the Church has been to empty the Holy Water fonts on the days of the Sacred Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil, and it corresponds to those days on which the Eucharist is not celebrated (i.e., Good Friday and Holy Saturday) [3/14/03: Prot. N. 569/00/L].

6. Veiling crosses and statues before the Fifth Sunday of Lent

This practice is permitted beginning with the Fifth Sunday of Lent, but not before.

The Roman Missal states:

In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from this [Fifth] Sunday may be observed.

Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

Notice that the practice is option (the practice "may be observed" not "is to be observed").

If it is not observed, in a particular parish, from the Fifth Sunday of Lent, there is additional encouragement to do remove or veil crosses after the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

The rubrics in the Roman Missal for that day state:

At an appropriate time, the altar is stripped and, if possible, the crosses are removed from the church.

It is expedient that any crosses which remain in the church be veiled.

NB. These notes refer to Dioceses in the USA but they also apply to England and Wales.

Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris . . .

We are beginning Lent, a time of penance and interior renewal to enable us to prepare for the great feast of Easter.

The Church continually invites us to purify our souls and to start afresh.

As we receive the ashes today we are reminded of the words of Genesis, following original sin,

'Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris'

Remember man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19

In spite of this reminder we sometimes forget that without God we are nothing.

God wants us to abandon sin and return to Him; sin creates a barrier between God and ourselves.

'Jesus Christ himself is the most sublime grace of the whole of Lent. It is He who presents Himself to us in all the wonderful simplicity of the Gospel.' Blessed John Paul II

Jesus is continually looking for a contrite heart in each of us, a heart that acknowledges its weakness and sins and is prepared to change. God wants for us a sincere sorrow for our sins, which we show, above all, by going to Confession. Each of us should draw up a particular plan of mortification to offer to God each day of Lent.

Confession, Confession, Confession . . .

'Let the Children Come to Me . . . '

I've been busy this week visiting our school and am delighted that I've been able to confess all the children in years, 4, 5 and 6 so we are all ready for the Great Feast of Easter!

It's always such a joyful experience to hear the simply, sincere confessions of our children. They really do set us adults an excellent example.

Stabat Mater Dolorosa . . .

Lent helps us prepare to consider the events of the Passion and Death of Our Lord. On the Fridays particularly we recall in a special way that first Good Friday when Jesus consummated the Redemption of Mankind.

As we move from Station to Station we contemplate the Sacred Humanity of Christ, who shows Himself to us suffering in human flesh as a man and yet never losing the majesty of God.

St Josemaria advises: 'Here indeed you have a sturdy and faithful devotion. Spend a few moments each Friday going over these fourteen points of Our Lord's Passion and Death. I assure you that you will gain strength for the whole of the week.' (St Josemaria - The Way)

I hope that many will join us for the Stations of the Cross here at St Ann's on the Mondays of Lent at 6.45 pm.

'Memento homo quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris'

'Memento homo quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris' This is one of two alternative instructions which may be used during the imposition of ashes. The other being, 'Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.'

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and runs until the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

With these words, 'Memento homo . . . . ' and with the ashes made from last year's palms, Catholics throughout the world begin the season of Lent. It is a time of repentance and penitence as we prepare for the Easter Triduum when we commemorate the Paschal Mysteries of the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The ashes we receive symbolise death and remind us of our own mortality and judgement, requesting us to look again at our lives and cleanse ourselves of our sins so that we may be prepared to face the final judgement.

The wearing of ashes is also a sign of humility before God and our neighbour. Ashes on our forehead is a visible reminder, both to ourselves and others, of our sinful nature and our need for God's forgiveness.

The wearing of ashes, this outward sign, is meaningless unless it is accompanied by true and sincere sorrow for our sins.

The prophet Joel says:

'Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothes.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, rich in mercy.'

(Joel 2: 12-13)

Have a holy and prayerful Lent.

More on Confession . . .

As promised, here is a video which explains very clearly the 'practicalities' of the Sacrament of Confession.

The only thing I would add, is to say, although a formula is helpful, the priest is there to help you in whatever way he can and will think no less of you if you stumble over the prayers. Believe me, he will just be overjoyed to see you.

Times for Confession at St Ann's are:

Saturday: 10.30 am - 11.30 am

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm

After each Mass on the first Sunday of the month

Preparing for Easter . .

Lent is fast approaching. The season of Lent is a time of preparation for the Great Feast of Easter. The most important thing we should do is to make a good Confession. This is not only desirable but is one of the precepts of the Church: 'You shall confess your sins at least once a year.'

If you haven' t been to Confession for some time and, regrettably, find the idea rather daunting, I hope that you will find this short video very helpful. I think it is excellent and well worth watching.

Next time we'll look at the practicalities - that is, how to go to Confession.

Lent Talks - Marriage and Family Life

On Tuesday of this week the well-know Catholic writer and broadcaster, Joanna Bogle, visited St Ann's to give the first of our Lent talks. In her talk about Marriage and Family Life, Mrs Bogle spoke about the beautiful sacrament of marriage; the intimate union between husband and wife; children as God's gift to parents and much more.

Mrs Bogle addressed these issues in a sound yet entertaining manner in her usual inimitable style.

After the talk we had quite a lively question and answer session which was followed by Benedicton of the Blessed Sacrament in church.

We are now looking forward to the second of our Lent talks on Tuesday 24th March at 7.30pm to be given by Fr Marcus Holden.

Fr Marcus Holden is assistant priest at St Augustine's Church, Tonbridge Wells and co-author with Fr Andrew Pinsent of Evangelium, a multi-media course on the Catholic Faith based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He will take as his subject The Holy Mass. Once more we will conclude the evening with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in church.

I do hope many people will be able to attend. It promises to be a very interesting evening.

Repent ...

'... Repent, and believe the Good News.' (Mark 1:15)

In the closing words of Sunday's Gospel reading Jesus urges us to repent of our sins; a reminder to us that when we sin we are damaging our relationship with God.

This theme echoes the words used by our Bishop, Kieran in his pastoral letter which we heard the previous Sunday.

'There are forty days of Lent. There is time to think, to prepare and to make time for this precious opportunity to refresh our relationship with God, the one we call our Father.'

Let us look at the Sacrament of Confession anew in our preparation for the Great Feast of Easter.

Times for Confession in the parish:

Saturdays: 10.30 am - 11.30 am

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm

After each Mass on the first Sunday of every month.

And at call.

Lenten Reconciliation Service: Tuesday 31st March at 7.30 pm here at St Ann's.

Lent begins tomorrow ...

'Remember, man, that you are dust,

And unto dust you shall return.'

Following on from today's feasting, comes tomorrow's Fasting. The other two ingredients which the Church recommends for Lent are Prayer and Almsgiving.

All of these three things are within everyone's capability. We can all, for example, abstain from that extra spoonful of sugar in our tea or that piece of cake with our elevenses; make time to say an extra prayer or a decade of the Rosary; or attend Rosary and Benediction in the parish (see below for times). As for almsgiving, there are many deserving charities to support.

To help us on our way, there are several additional things happening in our parish during Lent:

Ash Wednesday (25th February)

Mass at 9.30am (when we will be joined by the junior children from St Anne's School)

Mass at 8pm

There will be imposition of ashes at both Masses.

Rosary and Benediction - 4pm every Sunday during Lent

Stations of the Cross - 7.30pm on Fridays during Lent.

Shrove Tuesday ...

Here in the presbytery, we all enjoy pancakes as I'm sure you do too.

I'm sure you also know the origins of the custom of eating pancakes on the last day before the beginning of Lent. The practice of using up all the fat and eggs which were, originally at least, forbidden during Lent gave rise to all those delicious pancakes that we enjoy on the last day before Lent.

The word, 'shrove' comes from the old verb, 'to shrive' which means to hear confessions. It is part of our Easter Duties to go to confession before receiving Holy Communion at least once during the Easter Season.

We feast today and fast tomorrow on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. There are only two days in the year when the Church asks us to fast and practice abstinence - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Passiontide Atmosphere

NOW YOU SEE IT, THEN YOU DON'T!

The atmosphere of Lent has a solemn mood. The penitential colour of purple is visible in vestments and church decoration. The sanctuary is devoid of its usual festive decor.

In some churches, beginning around the year 900, one large cloth was hung between the people and the altar from the beginning of Lent. This was done to conceal the heavenly glory depicted by images of Saints and Crosses with the figure of the risen and triumphant Christ. Since about 1600, the veiling was limited to Passiontide which begins on the 5th Sunday of Lent, this Sunday was originally called 'Passion Sunday'.
The custom of veiling images of the Saints and Crucifixes in church with a purple cloth symbolises sadness and mourning - On the 5th Sunday of Lent (Year B) the final words of the Gospel are 'At that they picked up stones to throw at Jesus, but he hid himself.' (John 8: 59)

This weekend, along with other Catholic churches throughout the world, we at St Ann's followed the 'Passiontide' practice of veiling the crucifix and statues in our church. Our beautiful large, 'Christus Rex' crucifix behind the altar showing Christ in Glory as King and High Priest is not an easy object to veil but thanks to two of our parishioners and their ingenious scheme for raising the veil on extendable poles and securing it to rest on two brackets, it was successfully accomplished (and within health and safety guidelines too!)

The crucifix will remain covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday. Images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.