Fr. Benny Kottarathil, MI Chaplain - The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

Jillian Cooke, Fr. Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata -

Ann O'Donnell, Fr. Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata - Standing at the Cross of Jesus was His Mother

With Lent and Ash Wednesday (February 22) right around the corner, Catholics around the world will begin to prepare for what they will “give up.” The penitential practices of our Catholic faith are in contrast to the values of our American culture. Some Catholics may recall the times when every Friday meant not eating meat. What many faithful Catholics don’t realize is that the obligation of some form of penance on Fridays throughout the year has not been dispensed. In November of 1966, our US Bishops did allow for more meaningful penance other than just meat on Fridays. However, after 40-plus years the plan has back-fired and we have lost the practice of Friday penance. Let’s look at what the Church says:

 

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1438: The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice.
  
• Canon 1250: The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
  
• Can. 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
  
• Can. 1253: The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.

The Grace available from following the practices of our faith add to our Christian life. Many who have returned to the practice of “no meat” (or some other deliberate sacrifice) on Fridays profess how it has helped them fully appreciate the sacrifice that Christ made on Good Friday. As you and your family prepare for Lent 2012, consider returning to the practice of every Friday being a day of penance.  

Practical tips/suggestions:

• Set the alarm on your watch/smart phone to go off at 3pm every Friday to remind yourself of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and say a prayer for yourself or someone in need.
  
• If you don’t give up meat, fast from something else: sweets, soda, coffee, etc.
  
• Do an act of charity every Friday: drop off food for St. Vincent de Paul or visit a shut-in.
  
• Make it a rule: On Fridays no TV or other electronic devises, or have your kids give up that one toy that they really enjoy.
  
• Take time with your kids and share about Christ’s love and sacrifice for us on the cross: pray the chaplet of divine Mercy or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Every Friday in the church from 6:30pm- 7:30pm we have Adoration & Confession, 
the first Friday is Children’s Adoration. 

Make it a priority to participate in the rich tradition of the Church by remembering every Friday the Passion & Death of our Lord Jesus.