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Download the complete Lent guide
here
Dear Friends,
Did you know that the word Lent is an Old English word—a variation on
the word “lengthen”? Spring is definitely in the wings: the days are
lengthening, and we are moving steadily from the cold grip of winter
into the arms of spring.
Most of us welcome spring with open arms – especially after that bitter
cold snap in January. But wouldn’t it be great if we welcomed Lent as
warmly! Lent means penance and self-denial and most of us are not much
attracted to such things. I know I’m not. But penance and self-denial
can be paths to deeper growth and freedom, and the Church’s time-tried
Lenten program is all about growth and freedom. And there are plenty of
offerings here at St. James to make this Lenten pilgrimage a rich and
grace-filled experience. Let me mention a few.
PRAYER. The most important prayer we have is, of
course, the Sunday Mass we celebrate here together in the Cathedral. If
we were to do nothing more this Lent than to actually be at Mass each
Sunday and to participate fully, actively, and consciously in the Mass,
we would be doing something almost guaranteed to help us grow in faith
and in our relationship with Christ and with our brothers and sisters in
the Body of Christ. But we needn’t stop there. Lenten weekday Masses are
also a wonderful way for deepening our walk with Christ during this holy
season.
Other Lenten prayer possibilities might include making your
family prayer at meal times—or your morning and evening prayers—a little
less rote and a little more intentional; or taking some time each day to
read and reflect prayerfully on a passage from one of the Gospels. And
there are some wonderful prayer opportunities at the Cathedral, too:
Sunday afternoon Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the
Stations of the Cross on Mondays and Fridays; and joining in Adoration
after Mass on Thursday mornings. You can also grow in faith and share
your faith by taking part in our Lenten small groups. This year we are
hosting a five-week series called Encounter:
Meeting Christ and One Another, both via Zoom on Monday evenings,
and in person on Thursday afternoons. Please consider joining in one of
these groups, focused on the Gospels of the Lenten Sundays.
Still one other opportunity for prayer this Lent is to pray for
our “Elect," who will be baptized and confirmed
and receive the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil. You
can find their names in the bulletin. This can be a wonderful way of
reaching out to our newest members, supporting them along their journey
of faith. And it’s something absolutely everyone can do!
FASTING. The church is wise in reminding us that
fasting can help put us in closer contact with Jesus who willingly
accepted suffering and even death in order to show the depth of his love
for us. What better way to draw close to Jesus than by freely denying
ourselves some of life’s comforts? And what better way to draw close to
the suffering people of the world—the hungry, the homeless, the
hopeless—than by tasting, even in a small way, their cup of suffering?
And here’s another way of reaching out to those who are hungry
and homeless. Why not volunteer to help out at the Cathedral Kitchen or
to take a turn helping to prepare and serve our Sunday morning
breakfast? These are great ways to be in solidarity with those who
experience a “forced fast” every day. If you are interested, contact
Patrick Barredo.
ALMSGIVING. The Rice Bowl is the perfect vehicle
for turning fasting into a work of Christian love. Think what will
happen this Lent if you make the Rice Bowl your table centerpiece and
then put into it each day or each week the money you have saved by
eating a little more simply than usual. On Holy Thursday, when we invite
all of you to bring forward your Rice Bowls at the collection time of
the Mass, you will see in a powerful way how people who take Lent
seriously can make a difference not only in their lives but in the lives
of hungry people in our world. It was at our baptism that we got our
Christian “passport,” and it is our baptism that calls us to walk the
Lenten journey with Jesus. May we walk the journey together in faith,
hope, and love!
Father Michael G. Ryan
|
Download this guide
to Lent in .pdf format here
Prayer During Lent
MASS The Sunday and weekday Masses of Lent are the ideal
way to grow closer to the Lord Jesus. The scriptural readings for are
particularly rich in their ability to inspire and challenge. Weekday Masses
are at 8:00am daily, and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:10pm.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS is a wonderful Lenten tradition in the
Church. There are two opportunities to pray the Stations each week: on
Mondays following 12:10pm Mass, and Fridays following the 8:00am Mass. On
Sunday, March 3, Cathedral youth readers will lead the Stations of the Cross
following the 12 Noon Mass. The Cathedral’s Stations of the Cross are the
work of Joan Brand-Landkamer, inspired by French artist Georges Rouault.
MENTAL HEALTH STATIONS OF THE CROSS Presented by the
Mental Health and Wellness Ministry, Stations of the Cross with a focus on
mental health concerns will be held after the 12:10pm Mass on Friday, March
8. 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 4pm. CONTEMPLATIVE EVENING PRAYER
On Friday, March 1 at 6:30pm, you are invited to join in
contemplative evening prayer with the music of the ecumenical community of
Taizé, France. PRAYING THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET ON THE
FRIDAYS OF LENT Each Friday of Lent at 3:00pm, you’re invited
to join in praying the chaplet of the Divine Mercy. The Divine Mercy chaplet
is a beautiful devotion, prayed with rosary beads. This prayer is offered on
Zoom only, not in person. To join in, contact Caroline Okello,
cokello@stjames-cathedral.org. ADORATION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT Each Thursday during Lent, Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament will follow the morning Mass and continue until 9:30am, with
rosary and time for quiet adoration. THE RICE BOWL
is a wonderful way to grow in solidarity with the millions in our world who
lack the basic necessities of life. Rice Bowls are in the vestibules of the
Cathedral. Daily reflections available at
www.crsricebowl.org.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION This Lent, there are many
opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of God’s mercy. Confessions are
heard every Saturday from 8:30am-9:30am. Our communal celebrations of the
Sacrament of Penance will be Saturday, March 16 at 10:00am, and Monday,
March 18 at 7:00pm. WOMEN’S LENTEN FAITH GROUP For
all women at the Cathedral! Would you like to join with other parishioners
to make new friends and build community as we share scripture and our faith
journeys? We will gather in the Holy Names Room at the Pastoral Outreach
Center for 5 Saturdays starting February 17, 3:00-4:30pm, attend any or all
of the groups. Refreshments will be provided. Information, Anisa Ralls,
206-382-4269 or aralls@stjames-cathedral.org. CABRINI FILM
SCREENING: THURSDAY, MARCH 14 AT 7:15PM Mother Cabrini became a US
Citizen in Seattle in 1909, and worshiped in the Cathedral in its early
years. You are invited to join Father Ryan and fellow parishioners to see
the new film together at Pacific Place Cinema. There is no charge but a
donation of $10 per ticket is welcome. Advance reservation required!
Information, Maria Laughlin, 206-382-4284 or
mlaughlin@stjames-cathedral.org.
Encounter Meeting Christ and
One Another
You are invited to join a simple
small-group reflection based on the readings for each Sunday of
Lent. Join us as we ponder the Word of God and pray that our hearts
may be open to encounter Jesus in all the ways he comes to us: in
word, in sacrament and in all his people. Mondays—on
Zoom 6:30pm-7:45pm February 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18
Thursdays—Holy Names Room 2:00pm-3:45pm February
15, 22, 29, March 7, 14
To register for
either the in-person or Zoom session, email
Maria Laughlin, mlaughlin@stjames-cathedral.org. |
MUSICAL PRAYER THIS LENT
CAPPELLA ROMANA: IN YOU, O WOMAN FULL OF GRACE – MUSIC FOR THE
VIRGIN MARY Friday, March 8 at 7:30pm From the earliest
days of the Christian tradition, the faithful have venerated the Virgin Mary
through song, telling the story of her life and of the cosmic significance
of her role as the Mother of God. This program presents music for her drawn
from the Greek and Slavic traditions by both ancient and modern composers,
featuring works by John Tavener. Tickets and more information,
https://cappellaromana.org/concert/in-you-o-woman-full-of-grace/ or
503-236-8202. A limited number of pay-what-you-can parishioner passes are
available at the parish office reception desk or through the Cathedral music
office. OPUS 7 VOCAL ENSEMBLE: O LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
Saturday, March 16 at 8:00pm Opus 7 presents an inventive
and powerful concert of choral settings for the Lenten season, presenting
psalms and spiritual songs on themes of individual and community petitions,
thankfulness for being remembered, and confidence in God’s saving help.
Tickets and more information, http://opus7.org/music/concerts/. A limited
number of pay-what-you-can parishioner passes are available at the parish
office reception desk or through the Cathedral music office.
THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE Wednesday, March 27 at 7:00pm
The name Tenebræ (the Latin word for "shadows") was originally given to
the ancient monastic services of matins (celebrated after midnight) and
lauds (celebrated at dawn) of the last three days of Holy Week. By the late
Middle Ages, these services were consolidated into a single daily
celebration on each evening before Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy
Saturday. Following numerous 20th-century papal
reforms, Tenebræ today is celebrated in many different forms, which can
include the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, in which each verse is
introduced by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the gradual extinguishing
of candles and other lights in the church to signify the darkness that
overshadowed the earth at Christ’s crucifixion. The loud noise,
or strepitus, at the conclusion of the service suggests the earthquake
described in the Passion narratives. The single candle left burning is the
symbol and promise of Christ’s triumph over death and darkness.
The Cathedral Cantorei will sing the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the
sublime Miserere mei, Deus by Gregorio Allegri, as well as plainchant
psalmody. Father Michael G. Ryan, presider. TRE ORE
Friday, March 29 from 12pm-3pm We observe the traditional
Good Friday devotion of Tre Ore (“Three Hours”) in which we remember the
last words of Christ proclaimed from the cross. These brief exclamations
from Jesus alternate with Joseph Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ and
meditations by Father Ricky Manalo CP on the Seven Last Words of Christ. The
Haydn is sung by the Cathedral Cantorei with the Cathedral Chamber
Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Adam.
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 those to be baptized at
the Easter Vigil:
Tyler Gallagher ▪ Brady
Gustafson James Harmon ▪ Nicole Osby-Evans Marcus Park ▪ Marc Reynolds
Youth Elect: Mia
Sarmiento-Velasco ▪ Josiah Scanlan Henry Schulz
Please pray for our Elect each day
during this season of Lent. As Easter draws near, you are invited to write a
note telling our Elect of your prayerful support. The following are some
important moments in the journey of our Catechumens:
RITE OF ELECTION We
begin a season of intensified preparation by celebrating the Rite of Election on
February 17. 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 at the 10:00am Mass on March 3, 10, and 17.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 8:00pm: 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. gustine called it.
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.
Ash Wednesday is February 14, 2024. Good Friday is March 29, 2024.
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
804 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone 206.622.3559 Fax 206.622.5303
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