Lent, Stations of the Cross, Sacramentals

Lent

Compared to a person in training. Each year before the season, she must "train" and exercise. In some sense, Lent is the same routine each year: forty days. fasting and abstinence, more time in church, increased devotino, alms giving. St. Paul tells us we are in a race (1 Cor 9:24; 2 Tm 4:7) and we compete for a proze in Christ Jesus. To be a winning athlewte takes time, effort, and dedication. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but w an imperishable (1 Cor 9:25).

• Count the days
• Significance of 40 days
• Prayer, fasting and alms giving.

Sacramentals

Sacramental: Definition: Sacred signs (such as holy water and a crucifix) that bear some resemblance to the sacraments, but which do not carry the guarantee of God's grace associated with the seven sacraments. (Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth)

Symbols and rituals used in the church besides the sacraments.

• holy water
• Paschal Candle
• votive lights
• crsses/crucifixes
• medals and statutes of the saints
• blessed palm branches
• blessed ashes
• icons (special pictures of the saints)
• Incense
• Stations of the Cross

A special type of sacramental is a blessing, a prayer that calls on God's power to care for a person, place, thing, or undertaking. A prayer of blessing usually includes praise for God and his gifts and a request that those gifts be used in the spirit of the Gospel.

Stations of the Cross

Resources

the Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth. Brian Singer-Towns, St. Mary's Press, 2004 Catholic Customs A Fresh Lok at Traditional Practices, Regis J. Flaherty, Servant Publications, 2002