DIOCESE OF AUSTIN

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CENTRAL TEXAS WORSHIP OFFICE

February 14, 2022

Dear Fathers,

With Ash Wednesday arriving on March 2, 2022, the Worship Office has some reminders regarding Lent and Holy Week.

Ash Wednesday

• The blessing and imposition of ashes is to take place only on Ash Wednesday (March 2, 2022). It ordinarily takes place in the context of Mass. However, if necessary, the Book of Blessings contains The Order for the Blessing and Distribution of Ashes outside of Mass.
• According to the Roman Missal, “the Priest places ashes on the head of all those present who come to him...”. This year we are able to return to the practice of imposing ashes on the forehead. However, it is also allowable to sprinkle ashes on the top of the head. If that option is chosen, it would be ideal if you could also provide some catechesis as to why you are doing that (still being sensitive to the reality of COVID and also carrying on the tradition as it is done in Rome and other places).
• The minister for the blessing of the ashes within Mass is a bishop or priest and for a Liturgy of the Word Service it is a bishop, priest, or deacon. Where there is a pastoral need, other ministers may assist a bishop, priest, or deacon in the imposition of ashes. Please ensure that all the ministers are informed of the procedure for the imposition of ashes.
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may bring blessed ashes and impose them on those who are homebound, in a hospital, or in a nursing home. One of the formulas found in the Roman Missal is to be used.General Lenten Guidelines

• The Season of Lent is observed from Ash Wednesday to the beginning of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. It is important that we distinguish between the Season of Lent and the Sacred Paschal Triduum as separate and distinct seasons of the Church Year.

• Fasting and Abstinence: Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday unless precluded from fasting due to health concerns. Those obliged to fast may have one meal and, if necessary, two smaller meals which together do not equal the size of the larger meal. Catholics 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent.
• Veiling of Statues and Crosses: Beginning on the 5th Sunday of Lent, the practice of covering crosses and other images (such as statues) in the Church may be observed. If it is, crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but other images are covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil. The covering should be done with a purple cloth. 
  
  Musical Guidelines for Lent
  
   

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• During the Adoration of the Holy Cross please remember that the Roman Missal gives two options for the Showing of the Holy Cross. During the Adoration of the Holy Cross please also be mindful of numbers 18-19 in the Roman Missal as they pertain to the adoration: There should only be one Cross offered for adoration and the people can make an appropriate sign of reverence “by a simple genuflection or by some other sign appropriate to the usage of the region, for example, by kissing the Cross”.
• For Holy Communion, a cloth is spread on the altar and a corporal and the Missal are placed accordingly. The Blessed Sacrament is taken from the place of repose to the altar by the shortest route. After the distribution of Holy Communion, the ciborium is taken to a place prepared outside the church, or, if required, it is placed in the tabernacle. Ideally, what remains of the Blessed Sacrament should be consumed, except for what might be needed to take to the sick.

Resources

Planning Resources: There are numerous resources to assist you in planning for and catechizing about this holy time. The one we want to highlight for you is from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC). They have produced A Liturgical Preparation Aid for Lent, The Sacred Paschal Triduum and the Easter Season. It contains several helpful pieces including: A Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents and preparation sheets for the Rites belonging to the Period of Purification and Enlightenment as well as the liturgies for Palm Sunday and the Sacred Paschal Triduum. The resource is available in both English and Spanish and can be found here: https://fdlc.org/2022/01/liturgical-preparation-aid-lent-triduum-and-easter-2022/

Updated Lent Website: The Office of Worship is currently updating our website and we are pleased to be able to share our Lenten Resource Page https://www.austindiocese.org/lent. There you will find information on how to make a good Confession, Music Resources for Lent, and a variety of liturgical formation resources. It is our hope that it is something you could share with those involved in liturgical ministries and formation in your parish.

Should you have any questions about the liturgies of Lent, or other liturgical questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or at 512-949-2453

May God continue to bless you and the people of your parishes as you work to build the Kingdom of God.

Becca Spellacy

Becca Spellacy, Thd Director, Office of Worship