Lent at St. James Cathedral

Conversion to Christ, believing in the Gospel, ultimately means this: to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one’s own need—the need of others and God, the need of His forgiveness and His friendship. So we understand how faith is altogether different from a natural, good-feeling, obvious fact: humility is required to accept that I need Another to free me from “what is mine,” to give me gratuitously “what is His.” This happens especially in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Thanks to Christ’s action, we may enter into the “greatest” justice, which is that of love, the justice that recognises itself in every case more a debtor than a creditor, because it has received more than could ever have been expected. Strengthened by this very experience, the Christian is moved to contribute to creating just societies, where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love.

Dear brothers and sisters, Lent culminates in the Paschal Triduum, in which this year, too, we shall celebrate divine justice – the fullness of charity, gift, salvation. May this penitential season be for every Christian a time of authentic conversion and intense knowledge of the mystery of Christ, who came to fulfill every justice... read the entire Lent message here.

Pope Benedict XVI, Lent 2010

Prayer During Lent

ASH WEDNESDAY is celebrated Wednesday, February 17. Masses are at 8:15am, 12:10pm, and 5:30pm. All are welcome to join in a Simple Supper sponsored by the Cathedral Kitchen following the 5:30pm Mass. This year the simple supper will feature a Haitian recipe and donations will be accepted to benefit the work of CRS in Haiti.

RICE BOWL PROGRAM The Rice Bowl program is a wonderful way to grow in solidarity with the poor and the millions in our world who lack the basic necessities of life. This year the Rice Bowl program invites us to focus our attention on poor nations around the world—Bolivia, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, and Lesotho. Rice Bowls are available in the vestibules of the Cathedral throughout Lent.

MASS The Masses of Lent are the ideal way to grow closer to the Lord Jesus. The scriptural readings for the Sunday and weekday celebrations are particularly rich in their ability to inspire and challenge. Weekday Masses are at 8:15am and 5:30pm.

NEW STATIONS OF THE CROSS This Lent, St. James Cathedral has been blessed with the gift of a wonderful new set of the Stations of the Cross. The work of Cathedral iconographer Joan Brand-Landkamer, the stations were inspired by the work of 20th-century French artist Georges Rouault. The stations were created from found objects which Landkamer collected near her home in Ocean Shores. Each station is unique, and together they form a stark and intensely moving portrayal of the last journey of Jesus. The stations will be blessed following the Noon Mass on the First Sunday of Lent, February 21, as Father Ryan prays the Stations with the children of the Cathedral. All are welcome.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS A wonderful Lenten tradition in the Church. There are three opportunities to pray the Stations each week: on Mondays following 12:10pm Midday Prayer, Wednesdays following the 5:30pm Mass, and Fridays following the 8:15am Mass (except First Friday). You can also pray the stations online.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS Each weekday at 12:10pm in the Cathedral Chapel, we pray the Liturgy of the Hours. This short community prayer is based on the psalms, and includes readings from scripture and from our rich Catholic tradition.

LENTEN HOLY HOUR Each Friday during Lent, we will have a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 12 Noon. Holy Hour, which includes the Liturgy of the Hours, meditations, rosary, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, is the perfect midday retreat at the end of a busy week.

VESPERS AND BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT This beautiful prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church. It is celebrated in the Cathedral each Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm.

Taizé PRAYER This contemplative prayer, based on the simple, joyous chants of the monks of the Taizé community in France, takes place every Friday evening at 6:30 pm.

REMEMBERING ARCHBISHOP ROMERO Wednesday, March 24 marks the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. He was slain while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. We will mark this moment with a Mass for Peace and Justice at 5:30pm, after which we will pray the Stations of the Cross with readings from the writings of Archbishop Romero.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION This Lent, there are many opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of God’s mercy. Confessions will be heard each Saturday from 4:00 – 5:00pm. In addition, confessions will be heard each Tuesday from 7:45am – 8:10am (before the 8:15am Mass), and from 5:00pm – 5:25pm (before the 5:30pm Mass). On Saturday, March 20, the Archdiocesan Day of Reconciliation will be celebrated in the Cathedral with many confessors available throughout the day, beginning at 10:00am and concluding at 5:00pm. And on Monday, March 22, at 7:30pm, we will have our communal celebration of the sacrament.

RCIA During Lent

JOURNEY OF THE ELECT Lent is a time of intensive prayer and preparation for our Catechumens, who are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Soon they will no longer be called Catechumens, but “Elect,” following the celebration of the Rite of Election. This final period of purification and enlightenment, which, since the beginnings of the Church, has taken place during Lent, consists more of interior reflection than catechetical instruction. It is intended to purify the hearts and minds of the Elect as they search their own consciences and do penance. This period is also intended to enlighten their minds and hearts with a deeper knowledge of Christ the Savior.

Please pray for: Andrew Ardeleanu • Heather Dow • Kellen Erb • James Harmon • Kristine Hartley • JR Highley • Dicky Leonardo • Aaron Parris • Randall Payne • Christopher Power • Andrew Sayborivong • Frank Williamson • Gary Wingert • Barbara Wynn

PRAYER PARTNERS Adopt one of the Elect as a prayer partner to pray for in a special way during this holy season. A place of prayer will be created in the north transept of the Cathedral where you can come and pray, and also look through our Book of the Elect and get to know them better. As Easter draws near, you will be invited to write a note telling your prayer partner of your prayerful support.

The following are some important dates in the journey of our Catechumens and Candidates toward full communion in the Catholic Church:

RITE OF ELECTION We begin a season of intensified preparation by celebrating the Rite of Election which will take place on Thursday, February 18, 2010. On the basis of the testimony of sponsors and catechists, the Church judges the state of readiness of the Catechumens for baptism, and decides on their advancement toward the sacraments of initiation. This step is called “election” and is based on the Catechumens’ election by God, in whose name the Church acts. From this point on, those preparing for Baptism are referred to as the Elect.

THE SCRUTINIES Lent began in the Church as a time of intense spiritual preparation and healing for the Elect. On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Church pours out her most powerful prayers for deliverance from sin and evil during the Scrutiny Rites. These rites will take place on Saturday, March 6, at 5:30pm; Sunday, March 14, at 10:00am; and Sunday, March 21, at 5:30pm.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 8:30pm: THE EASTER VIGIL On this holiest of nights, we celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist with our Elect. The Easter Vigil is the undisputed high point of the entire liturgical year, the “mother of all vigils,” as St. Augustine called it.

Adult Faith Formation

“LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY”: A REVIEW OF THE LORD’S PRAYER (A Lenten Bible Study) Tuesdays, February 23, March 2, 9, 16 & 23, 1:00-3:00 PM or 7:00-9:00 PM, Cathedral Place, second floor. Join us as we reflect upon the rich teachings and insights of the Catholic Church, as articulated in the Catechism, on this great prayer that Jesus gave us. No Bible experience needed! Information, Helen Oesterle, 206-382-4514.

A LENTEN RETREAT FOR THOSE WHO ENTERED THE CHURCH THROUGH RCIA At your baptism or reception into the Church you were called to become part of this Catholic faith community. Now, it is months, years, perhaps decades later. What does being a baptized Catholic mean now? Join others on Saturday, March 13 from 9:30-12:30 at Cathedral Place, fourth floor for a special time of prayer, faith sharing, and fellowship with others. Information, Helen Oesterle, 206-382-4514.

Musical Prayer for Lent

TENEBRAE Wednesday, March 30, 7:30pm The Cathedral Men’s Chant Choir with Margriet Tindemans, viola da gamba; Rebekah Gilmore, Ann Glusker. Lisa Cardwell Pontén, Linda Strandberg, and Stacey Sunde, sopranos. Music by Couperin, Charpentier, and Allegri’s Miserere, James Savage, conductor. Free-will offering.

Five Centuries of Sacred Music from France Friday, March 5, 2010 8:15pm; Saturday, March 6, 2010 8:00pm Seattle Pro Musica, a Cathedral Resident Ensemble, performs Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir. Also including the beautiful choral works of Poulenc, Villette, Dufay, and other French composers. Karen P. Thomas, Director, Information 206-781-2766 or visit www.seattlepromusica.org.

Sacred Choral Music for Lent Saturday, March 13, 2010 8:00pm St. James Resident Ensemble Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble; Loren Pontén, Founder and Musical Director. Information 206-782-2899 or visit www.opus7.org .

Stabat Mater Saturday, March 20, 2010 8:00pm Choral Arts, a Cathedral Resident Ensemble, presents Frank Ferko’s Stabat Mater. This mystical setting of the ancient Stabat Mater text is combined with compelling interpolations that bridge the work to our own time. Soprano Juliana Rambaldi joins Choral Arts for an evening that promises to be an unforgettably moving and dramatic collaboration of text and music. Information 1-800-404-2269 or visit www.choral-arts.org .

Official Lenten Regulations
from the Archdiocese of Seattle

           For this penitential season, the Church draws on the wisdom of the Scriptures and tradition in suggesting a time of intense prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
           Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent. Catholics are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended, as is abstinence from meat on all Fridays of the year.
           Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2010 Good Friday is April 2, 2010.
           Fasting. On a day of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal the other full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are permitted.
           Abstinence. On days of abstinence eating of meat is not allowed.
           The obligation of fasting binds Catholics who are 18 - 59 years old. The obligation of abstinence applies to those 14 years and older. The law does not oblige when health or ability to work would be seriously affected.

The Chancery