Our Lady of Guadalupe

Lent refers to the 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Ashes are put on the believers’ foreheads to symbolize human mortality and the need to repent and amend ways with the Creator. They remind us of our origin and the inevitability of death. Additionally, ashes are used to signify humility and hope in God’s mercy and love, as well as commitment to self-denial and obedience to God’s will. (Ecclesiastes 3:20, Genesis 3:19, Matthew 11:21, Job 42:6)

Lent is a season of spiritual growth through prayers, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer includes daily Mass, Adoration, Holy Rosary, confession, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Way of the Cross, as well as reading the scriptures and examining conscience.

We should fast from certain luxurious foods such as meat and alcohol, habits like worrying, gossiping, complaining, selfishness, addictions/habitual sins, complaining, social media/technology, eating out, and distractions.

Almsgiving includes Works of mercy, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, shelter the homeless, donating and supporting the poor, volunteering, visiting the sick, elderly, and prisoners