Lent Begins This Week

Written by Leona Kelly​
     Holy Rosary students will be attending Mass tomorrow for Ash Wednesday, at which time ashes will be administered as a visible symbol of penance. All are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass. St. John Paul II's Deacon Chris joined us at school on Monday this week, to burn the blessed palms for this year's ashes. ​

Ashes will be distributed at the following times:

• 8:15 AM @ Holy Rosary Church (Mass in English)
• 12:00 PM @ Holy Rosary Church (Distribution of ashes only)
• 7:00 PM @ Holy Rosary Church (Communion Service in English)
• 7:00 PM @ Christ the King Church (Mass in Spanish)

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     There are many words floating around this time of year that may seem unfamiliar, especially if you are not Catholic, or are new to the faith; things like Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrovetide, Ash Wednesday, etc. So, what do they all mean?
     "Beginning with the Easter Triduum* as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance. Gradually on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy. (CCC 1168) Therefore Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments." (CCC 1169) (*The Easter Triduum includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday). With this definition, it is easy to see that Easter is revered as the most important Christian holiday.
     Just as Advent is the season leading up to the birth of Jesus on Christmas, Lent is the 40-day period leading up to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter. This season begins on Ash Wednesday and is a time of penance, marked by praying, fasting, abstinence, and other acts of penance.  
     Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It is not a holy day of obligation, but it is strongly encouraged that you attend Mass on this day (March 6, this year). Fasting and abstinence are obligatory on this day. The ashes we receive remind us that our bodies will one day return to ash. This visible reminder helps up enter prayerfully into the season of Lent.

​Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Shrovetide are all words for the final celebration before Ash Wednesday. They are a time of feasting, when Christians in times past traditionally would use up their milk, eggs, and sugar before assuming the simplified diet and fasting of Lent. At Holy Rosary we observe this tradition with a Shrove Dinner served by our local Knights of Columbus, in conjunction with our annual Science Fair.

​Want to join us for our Shrove Dinner and to see the great work our students have done for the Science Fair? Click here to learn more:

HRCS Science Fair and Shrove Dinner

​From our Faith Formation Director:
Are you looking for a family formation activity this Lent? Sign up for the Lenten Adventure at holyheroes.com for fun videos and activities delivered to your inbox every day!

​External Links:
https://www.facebook.com/catholicdioceseboise/​
www.idahokofc.org/council_master.php?cnum=1663
https://www.holyheroes.com
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​Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church