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Lent 2025 at Saint Robert's Parish
What you need to know about Lent and Easter !- Abstinence and More
- Interesting Facts About Lent - Did you Know??
- Ideas for Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
- Lenten Almsgiving at St. Robert's
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Abstinence and More
ABSTINENCE is to be observed by Catholics over 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence (Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent), no meat is allowed. 
FASTING is to be observed by Catholics over 18 and up to the beginning of their 60th year. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs. Together these two small "meals" should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Ash Wednesday (3/05) & Good Friday(4/18) are days of Fasting and Abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence.
The Lenten Environment
Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and Catechumens undertake these practices in a spirit of penance and preparation for Baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.
We look forward to the Resurrection of Christ and His conquering of death. We will soon see the blooming of the Easter flowers. Between the Good Friday Service and the Easter Vigil or Easter Morning Masses, the "Paschal Fast” should take place. The space that is created by the Paschal Fast makes room for the watching and praying that lead the church through Good Friday and Holy Saturday and into the night of the Easter Vigil.
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Interesting Facts About Lent....Did you know?Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, is a time of penance. It is a time when we reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics practice self-discipline by abstaining from meat on Fridays and making other small sacrifices. Giving alms and spending increased time in prayer are also traditional practices during this holy season. Catholics also are encouraged to go to reconciliation during Lent.
- Why is Lent 40 days? The number 40 is a significant number for Christians. Jesus spent 40 days in a desert. Noah had to wait 40 days for his ark to float. And Moses, along with his followers, traveled through the wilderness for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land.
- The forty days of lent run from Ash Wednesday up to but excluding the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
- This means that Lent begins at 12:01 a.m. on Ash Wednesday and runs to just before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday. As soon as the Mass of the Lord's Supper starts, it's a new liturgical season: Easter Triduum.
- Ashes come from the burnt blessed palms from the previous years Palm Sunday Mass.
- Lent comes from the Middle English word “lente”, which means springtime.
- This is also a time when people give to charity. Catholics have given more than $250 million to feed the hungry during Lent.
- Chocolate was the number one food most people were willing to give up during Lent.
- Recently, the National Bishops' Conference approved of the consumption of alligator on Friday as the beast "is considered in the fish family."
- There are some Liturgical changes during the Lenten Season: Alleluia and Gloria are suppressed.
- The priest vests in purple.
- The priest vests in rose on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Why? This color symbolizes Joy. The fact that Jesus was born, suffered, died, and rose from the dead for us is a source of joy!
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Ideas for Prayer Fasting and Almsgiving During LentLent, which began on Ash Wednesday, is a time of penance. It is a time when we reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics practice self-discipline by abstaining from meat on Fridays and making other small sacrifices. Giving alms and spending increased time in prayer are also traditional practices during this holy season. Catholics also are encouraged to go to reconciliation during Lent.
There are three main practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.We would like to share with you some general ideas for Lent listed below~
PRAYER
Prayer is an essential part of the Lenten journey, and it is important to set aside a time for prayer. This a great opportunity to try a new method of prayer. Lent is a time to pray for others ~ such as the sick, the lonely, and those facing difficult circumstances.- Traditional Prayer (reciting the Lord’s Prayer, or saying the Rosary)
- Praying with Scripture
- Try a new Prayer that you are not familiar with (the Act of Contrition, Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, etc.)
- Attend Stations of the Cross
- Go to Weekday Mass
ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. Catholics over age 14 are bound to the obligation of abstinence. Fasting is obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.- Abstain from meat on a day in addition to Friday
- Fast from “Conveniences or Technology”
- Don’t use smart phone
- Give up your coffee
- Give up the use of an appliance
- How about the dishwasher or microwave?
- Give Up video games
- Read a book
- Talk with friends
ALMSGIVING
Through almsgiving we share God’s love with others and we recognize that the gifts we have are not really our own. You can also donate goods, give your time in direct service to another. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or visit a shut in. Acts of service such as these can also be considered almsgiving, especially if you do them with the intention of sharing your gifts. And who knows, you might receive a gift yourself. You might encounter Jesus in the faces of those you are serving.- Support charities or organizations that are meaningful to you
- Assist an elderly person in your neighborhood
- Send a card to a homebound person
- Donate some clothes
Praying your Lent brings you even closer to our merciful Lord and brings you a sense of increased faith.
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Lenten Almsgiving at St. Robert'sThe agencies we service are immensely grateful for St. Robert Bellarmine's parish support.In this era of cutbacks of all kinds, charity from every source is welcomed and receivers are very appreciative. All have commented with a kind of surprise that we are willing to help and they heap blessings upon us for being willing to reach out.Please contact Kathy Schardin at [email protected] with any questions.
Week of March 8th and 9th (First Sunday of Lent)
The first week of Lent we dedicate to collections for Project Home Again.
Project Home again is an agency the assists the recently homeless, refugees, and displaced women set up a home with the needs that every household requires.
Requested donations include:
Sheets - Twin, Full, and QueenTwin size are typically for children, so bright colors and patterns are welcome.Comforters - Twin, Full, and Queen
Pots and Pans
Used, but in very good condition are welcome.
Silverware
Used, but in very good condition are welcome.
Week of March 15th and 16th (Second Sunday of Lent)
The second week of Lent we dedicate to collections for Pegasus House.
Pegasus House homes young women recovering from substance abuse. While here, they gain self-esteem while focusing on sober living.
Requested donations include:
15 Empty Baskets -that can be used to fill for 15 residents ion Easter Sunday.**They do not have to be an Easter theme.Comforters - Any size
Used, but in very good condition are welcome.
Sheets - Twin size sheets for the residents