THE SEASON OF LENT. . . Lent begins this year on Wednesday, February 14. Ashes are a sign of penitence and a mark of our mortality, and a reminder “of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.” Ash Wednesday is also one of two major Fast Days (along with Good Friday) designated in the Book of Common Prayer. Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) is a season of self-reflection and penitence in preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery in the Triduum Sacrum (The Three Sacred Days): Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter, culminating in the Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day. Although Sundays are not themselves a part of Lent (“Sundays in Lent,” not “of Lent”), the Church’s liturgy in this season becomes more austere and “Alleluias” are suppressed.  

FASTING DURING LENT . . . There are no set rules that govern how Episcopalians are expected to fast and different groups and communities have followed different practices. Fasting consists of abstaining from certain types of food (in the Christian tradition that has most commonly been meat) and reducing the amount of food one typically eats. Reducing water intake on a day of fasting is discouraged, and there aren't any hard rules on other liquids like coffee and tea. Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book, a devotional manual held in high regard among Anglo-Catholics in the Episcopal Church, suggests fasting as “not more than a light breakfast, one full meal, and one-half meal...” The Book of Common Prayer also designates other “Days of Special Devotion” and “Days of Optional Observance” as found on pages 17-18 if one chooses to take on a greater practice of fasting. Fasting serves a number of different functions, but the primary goals are to cultivate self-discipline and self-mastery, and ultimately, to ever deepen our relationship and devotion to God. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before fasting if you are over the age of 65 or have certain health conditions. A good Lenten practice for children is to abstain from meat or another type of food on Fridays. 
 

RECONCILIATION OF A PENITENT . . . The Episcopal Church offers a sacramental rite in which those who repent may confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution (BCP, p. 861). It is also called penance and confession. Please contact Father Anthony if you would like to receive this sacrament of the Church, or if you have any questions.  

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR LENT . . . 

Please click on the links below for Lenten resources from the Episcopal Church.  Some of the resources are for communities and others for individuals.  You may already have a Lenten practice of giving something up or doing something new, but these resources may provide some fresh ideas and provide added guidance as you observe Lent this year. 
 

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/
https://d365.org/
https://unitedthankoffering.com/Lent/