Changes in Lent

Part 2: Changes Outside of Mass

During Lent, the Liturgy of the Hours uses special short readings for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. The responsories for these same hours are specific to the season:

God himself will set me free from the hunter's snare; from those who would trap me with lying words.

To you, O Lord, I make my prayer for mercy; heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

There are also special antiphons for Daytime Prayer. The Te Deum, a hymn of praise called for in the Office of Readings on Sundays, is eliminated during Lent, except on solemnities and feasts.

The RCIA celebrates certain rites during Lent. On the First Sunday of Lent, many parishes observe the optional Sending Catechumens and Candidates to the Bishop for Election and Recognition. This Rite of Election / Enrollment of Names occurs at the cathedral in the presence of the bishop, also on the First Sunday of Lent. The First, Second and Third Scrutinies are held during Mass for the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent. The catechumens (now called the Elect) and the candidates appear before the celebrant. Amid prayer and reflection, the celebrant lays hands on the elect, and invokes God's power in a prayer of exorcism, to deliver the elect from the power of Satan and to heal all that is weak, defective or sinful in their hearts. The Rites of Presentation of the Creed and Presentation of the Lord's Prayer occur during the Third and Fifth Weeks of Lent, respectively.

Lent is a time of repentance, and most parishes schedule Penitential Services to encourage the faithful to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Easter. There are also many non-liturgical devotions peculiar to Lent, including the Way of the Cross, ecumenical services, missions, and days of prayer.

The Church focuses concentrated attention on these "forty days" of Lent, to point out the significance of this "accepted time," this time of metanoia, conversion, repentance and grace. More than any other season, the Church wants her children to be close to the sacraments and part of the community of believers. At its outset, ashes are given to crowds on Ash Wednesday. Near its end, palms are given to equal crowds on Palm Sunday. Between is our opportunity to ponder our own journey from the ashes of this earthly existence to the victorious palms of the saints in heaven. Everything about Lent, its colors, Scripture, music, rites and liturgies, should assist us in this self-reflection.