| #8 | Liturgy Update |
“Lenten is come with love to town!” cries the medieval English poet. And the Sacramentary says, “each year you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed.” Love? Joy? Are we really talking about Lent?
Lent is the season of fasting and penance; nevertheless—and therefore!—it is a season of joy. For what could be more joyful than to share our plenty, to pray for ourselves and for others, to forgive and be forgiven—in short, to prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord?
Just as the Advent season grew out of Christmas, and became a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord, so Lent grew out of Easter. Easter was, from the earliest times, the season to celebrate the sacraments of initiation with new members; and it was also the time to bring back into the fold of the Church those who had strayed. For the catechumens, the weeks leading up to Lent were a time of intense prayer and preparation; and for those separated from the church by sin, it was a time to make reparation and do penance. The Lenten season was soon embraced by the entire Church as an opportunity for the faithful to return to their baptismal promises, and to prepare for Easter by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
At St. James, we are powerfully reminded of the origins of this Lenten season by the presence of the catechumens, who will receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. (NB: The catechumens are called “Elect” after they participate in the Rite of Election with Archbishop Brunett on March 1st.) On the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, at the 10:00am Mass, we pray for them in a special way with the Scrutinies, ancient prayers which help to prepare them to receive the sacraments of initiation. You are encouraged to “adopt” one of our Elect at the place of prayer in the north aisle.
For if our forefather Adam had kept the fast,
We would not have been deprived of paradise.
O Lord, who took flesh from the Virgin
in the fullness of time,
Call me back and restore me to Eden!Byzantine Vespers
| REMINDER: Liturgy Day for all liturgical ministers, including ushers, readers, EM’s, and Emmaus Companions, is Saturday, March 13th. Hospitality in the Hall begins at 9:30am; the day begins at 10:00am and concludes with Mass at 12:10pm. Don’t miss it! |
Lent brings with it many liturgical changes. The Alleluia, our Easter song, will not be heard again until the Easter Vigil. As in Advent, the Gloria is omitted, the use of the organ is reduced to the minimum, and the processions are simplified. In the entrance, ministers gather in the Chapel for the procession, and enter the Church via the St. John pier (past the Blessed Sacrament Chapel). The Sprinkling Rite takes place at the beginning of Mass (a wonderful way for us to prepare to renew our own baptismal promises at Easter). In the procession at the end of Mass, the ministers return to the sacristy via the East Apse. The coordinators of your ministries will be able to provide additional details!
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