Lest we forget…

Last Wednesday, March 6, was Ash Wednesday.

This day begins the Church’s traditional observance of the 40 Days of Lent or Tempus Quadragessima in Latin. It is commonly called in English, Lenten Season.

On Ash Wednesday the young and not-so-young adult Catholics below 60 years of age are required to observe fasting and abstinence. But everyone whenever possible is encouraged to be symbolically anointed with ashes on their foreheads.

Lest we forget I would like to remind everyone to review the Church teaching on fasting, abstinence, and anointing with ashes, and meditate on them during the Lenten Season. This meditation is the way to prepare for a meaningful and fruitful celebration of Holy Week.

There are four focuses of the Lenten observance: Prayer, Fasting, Abstinence, Good Works.

All these personal and community activities can fall under the label of Celebration through the use of meaningful signs and symbols.

Lest we also forget we should be reminded that the ultimate purpose of fasting and abstinence is to acquire self-control and more willpower to do good and to avoid evil.

Lest we forget, good works can be done with the savings we accumulate from fasting and abstinence.

And finally, lest we forget, deeper growth in prayer and meditation are achieved when they lead us into the habit of contemplation, the highest form of prayer.