Lenten Fast & Abstinence Regulations / Regulaciones Cuaresmales
Lent begins each year with the celebration of Ash Wednesday (February 21, 2007) and concludes 40 days later before the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday (April 5, 2007).
As your faith community begins its observance of the Lenten Season, you may notice some changes. Decor and musical accompaniment may be more subdued so that the penitential character of the season is better preserved. The Alleluia is also not used from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil. While weddings are permitted during Lent, they are to reflect the special nature of the season. Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday. In addition to choosing their own penitential practices, Catholics are also asked to observe the practices of fast and abstinence during the 40 days of Lent.
| The Lenten Fast and Abstinence Regulations are as follows: | Normas para la Cuaresma en la Arquidiócesis de Anchorage: |
1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. 2. Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz has granted a dispensation from fasting for all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Anchorage on Saturday, March 17, 2007, the Feast of Saint Patrick. 3. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one's 59th birthday.) 4. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. 5. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed minimal penitential practices. |
En esta temporada de penitencia, la Iglesia se basa en la sabiduría de las Escrituras y la tradición al sugerir un tiempo de intensas oraciones, ayuno y limosna. Los católicos de los Estados Unidos están obligados a abstenerse durante el miércoles de Ceniza y todos viernes de Cuaresma. Los católicos también están obligados a ayunar el miércoles de Ceniza y el Viernes Santo. Se recomienda firmemente el acatamiento voluntario del ayuno todos los días de semana de la Cuaresma, así como la abstinencia de carne todos los viernes del año. El Miércoles de Ceniza es el día 21 de febrero del 2007. El Viernes Santo es el 7 de abril del 2007. Ayuno. En un día de ayuno se permite una comida completa. Se permite otras dos comidas suficientes para mantener la fuerza, según las necesidades de cada uno, pero las dos juntas no pueden igualar a la otra comida completa. No se permite comer entre comidas, solamente líquidos, incluyendo leche y jugos. Abstinencia. En los días de abstinencia no se puede comer carne. El Arzobispo Rogelio L. Schwietz ha concedido una dispensación a todos los feligreses de Anchorage para que no haya abstinencia de carne el día viernes 17 de marzo del 2006 con motivo de la Fiesta de San Patricio. La obligación del ayuno se aplica a los católicos entre los 18 y 59 años de edad. La obligación de la abstinencia se aplica a quienes tengan 14 años de edad y más. La ley no obliga si la salud o a la capacidad de trabajar se pondrían ver afectados seriamente. |
Lent and Easter - A Pastoral Guide
Parish Reception of the Holy Oils
The Sacred Triduum
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Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should also be a joyful season of feasting. Lent is a time to FAST from certain things and to feast on others.
It is a season in which we should:
FAST from judging others; Feast on the Christ indwelling them.
FAST from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of all life.
FAST from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.
FAST from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
FAST from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.
FAST from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
FAST from anger; Feast on patience.
FAST from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
FAST from worry; Feast on divine order.
FAST from complaining; Feast on appreciation.
FAST from negatives; Feast on affirmatives.
FAST from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer.
FAST from hostility; Feast on non-resistance
FAST from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
FAST from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.
FAST from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.
FAST from discouragement; Feast on hope.
FAST from facts that depress; Feast on verities that uplift.
FAST from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.
FAST from suspicion; Feast on truth.
FAST from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.
FAST from shadows of sorrow; Feast on the sunlight of serenity.
FAST from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
FAST from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that under girds.
