THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

February 26, 2006

The Good News

...LENT....I Invite You!

Next Wednesday, March 1st, is Ash Wednesday.  This is the day we begin a very special liturgical season called Lent.  This season affords us an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter.  The season of Lent ends during Holy Week with the observance of the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil).

Because Lent is a time of repentance and conversion, there are certain regulations we must observe.

1.  Abstinence from Meat:  Catholics 14 years of age or older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent unless dispensed.

2. Fasting:  Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 (inclusive) are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting means that you eat only one full meal and no more than two small meals with no food between meals on those days.

For those unable to fast, some other suitable act of penitence should be substituted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  Other days of Lent are not fast days but self-imposed times of fasting or abstinence are recommended.

3. Catholics who have received their first Holy Communion are required to make a worthy reception of Holy Communion at least once during the year.  In the United States, this reception of Holy Communion may take place from the First Sunday of Lent through Trinity Sunday (June 11th this year).

I challenge all Catholics of this Archdiocese to be faithful in observing these three Lenten regulations.  In addition, I encourage you to participation at daily Mass, voluntary acts of penitence, additional times of prayer and works of charity.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides the proper context for our Lenten discipline.  It reminds us that Jesus’ call to conversion and penance does not aim first at outward works, sackcloth and ashes, fasting and mortification, but at a conversion of heart.  Such interior spiritual conversion does urge us to make expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance.

Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart.  This requires a turning away from evil and bringing an end to sin in our lives. Accordingly, the sacrament of Penance is, in my judgment, the single most  necessary and effective action in Lent.  For that reason, I, as your Archbishop, call you to make a good and sincere Confession during the Lenten season.  This is truly the only way we can expect to experience a true conversion of heart and be strengthened in our faith in God’s mercy.  We are now being called by God to repent of our sins and to change our way of life and to follow Him more closely.  Therefore, please join me in celebrating Lent with faith, hope, love and joy.  Let us begin to live the fullness of our Catholic faith.