Diocesan News
Preparing for Lent
Are you enjoying some pancakes today? We’re on the cusp of Lent which begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday, 26 February, and ends at midnight on Easter Saturday, 11 April.
Shrove Tuesday was traditionally a day of repentance, but many Christians now use it to indulge in foods that they plan on fasting from over the next few weeks. During the Middle Ages, families tried to use up all their rich foods, like milk, fats, eggs and sugar ahead of the Lent period, hence the practice of eating pancakes. In France, the day became known as ‘Mardi Gras’, or ‘Fat Tuesday’, partly due to the consumption of these fatty foods.
Lent
The season of Lent is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, resisting the Devil’s temptations and preparing for his ministry. You will notice that there are more than 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday – 46 to be precise. This is because the six Sundays represent a kind of ‘mini–Easter’, and are considered a feast day to celebrate the resurrection.
During Lent many Christians choose to fast from indulgences such as sweets, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, or maybe Netflix or social media! Others chose to adopt practices rather than give something up but either way, it’s a marvellous opportunity to simplify our lives and spend more time examining them before God.
Ash Wednesday Services
If you haven’t already done so, think about observing the fast and how you might re–structure your day to set aside more time for personal prayer, reading and reflection.
And do begin this season in your local parish or in one of our cathedrals at an Ash Wednesday penitential service.
Belfast Cathedral
Services include the optional imposition of ashes:
8.30 am Holy Communion (Order 2 – Prayer 1) in the Chapel of Unity
1.00 pm Holy Communion (Order 2 – Prayer 3) in the Chapel of Unity
5.30 pm Choral Eucharist in the Cathedral
Down Cathedral
1.00 pm Holy Communion with optional imposition of ashes
Dromore Cathedral
7.30 pm a short reflective service
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
[email protected]