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 Liturgy Line
A seasonal liturgical resource
from the Archdiocese of Seattle Liturgy Office
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The Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Poverty and the Liturgies of Lent
In their recent
pastoral letter "Who Is My Neighbor? The Face of Poverty in Washington State"
the Catholic Bishops of Washington State invited us to pray and act that we might listen to the voices of our brothers and sisters, to be a neighbor to those in need so that they can participate fully in the community. Our bishops have invited us to encounter Christ in and be evangelized by those living in poverty. As we enter into relationship with our neighbor living in poverty, as we become a neighbor to them, it is important to remember that such "Solidarity with our neighbor begins with listening and leads to action." Our bishops are inviting us to pray and to act.
Suggested Intentions for Those in Need During Lent
During this Lenten season-as we invite the faithful in our parishes to undertake anew the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving-our path to holiness in preparation for the Easter celebrations the bishops "ask you to pray with us. Pray for those living in poverty. Pray for the
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Photo used with permission. By Danny Gadd. From the Washington State Bishops Pastoral Letter on Poverty. |
individuals and organizations who reach out in charity to the hungry, the homeless and all who lack basic necessities and are denied full participation in society. Pray for those who advocate to break the cycle of poverty. Pray for our public officials, who bear the daunting task of establishing true economic justice for the citizens of our state." So during the Lenten season make these intentions the focus of the Prayer of the Faithful at your parish Masses.
Common Themes in the Pastoral Letter and the Liturgies of Lent
In their pastoral letter the bishops included "a special prayer for families and parishes (see below), and we ask all disciples of the Lord Jesus to give thanks for all we have received from God's bountiful hands. It is our hope that through prayer we will be inspired by God to act in solidarity with our neighbors who do not share fully in the blessings of life." Therefore throughout the Lenten season in particular it would be appropriate to invite the faithful, as they give thanks in every Eucharist "for all we have received from God's bountiful hands," to open their hearts to hear the voice of the poor. Toward that end I suggest for your consideration, as we will be singing at many archdiocesan liturgies during Communion, the well-known "Psalm 34: The Cry of the Poor" by John Foley, SJ.
Lectionary Suggestions for Prayer Services Remembering the Poor
The Lectionary for Mass (882 - 891 and 922 - 926) provides ample choices for readings for remembering the poor which can also be used at standalone celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word in catechetical settings as readings during, for example, a Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament held to pray for those living in poverty or perhaps surrounding action as we listen to and work on behalf of our neighbors who are burdened.
As you undertake your Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and, in your ministry in the sacred liturgy, wherein we foster ways to bring others to encounter God in the divine worship the Son carries out and in which he makes us participators, let us be mindful of how we can bring the faces and voices of those living in poverty in Washington State into our prayer and so meet Christ in his mysteries and in these least ones.
Director of Liturgy
Archdiocese of Seattle
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At the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, the Washington State Bishops released a pastoral letter, Who is My Neighbor? The Face of Poverty in Washington State. The letter emerged as the fruit of the bishops' listening sessions across the state with people living in poverty. Those encounters moved the bishops to urge Catholics and people of good will to recognize that poverty is more than pages of statistics, that poverty has a face---often not observed, a name---often not known, and a voice---often not heard.
They invite the Catholics to renew our commitment to those who suffer the humiliation of poverty through prayer and action. As a support for our parishes they provided videos and study guides which can be found at the Washington State Catholic Conference website:
www.thewscc.org
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The season of Lent offers ample opportunity to prayerfully consider the lives of neighbors living on the margins and how we might respond more faithfully. Ash Wednesday calls us "to rend our hearts," "to turn from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."
This Lent might we consider Pope Francis' invitation to repent from ways our own self-centeredness causes anesthesia and indifference in our own hearts? Might we pray that we can learn to weep for and with our most vulnerable and suffering neighbors? (Misericordiae Vultus)
As we celebrate Sunday Eucharist and the Rites with our Elect, might we pray earnestly for them and for our Church, that together we experience purification and enlightenment? Might we ask to be led into the freedom of the Risen Christ, free to open our ears and our eyes to hear and see, to be touched by the wounds of Christ still suffering in our neighbors? Might we pray that the power of Lenten Eucharist unbind us from fear and send us forth in surprising ways to reach out and support our neighbors in word and actions, so together we can "break down the barriers of indifference?"
Patricia C. Repikoff
Pastoral Advocate for Mission
Catholic Community Services/Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington
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from the Guidelines for Lent
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| Ash Wednesday, March 1, and Good Friday, April 14, are days of fast and abstinence. Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for Baptism or of renewal of Baptism at Easter. (Code of Canon Law, 1249-1252)
Fasting is to be observed by all eighteen years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their sixtieth birthday. 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, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Abstinence is observed by all fourteen years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted.
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Liturgical Environment in Lent
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 Environment in the Lenten season should reflect this season as a forty-day preparation for Easter. While the seasonal color is violet, there may be growing reminders of the coming of spring. If your parish chooses to veil statues and crucifixes, you may do so from the Fifth Sunday of Lent, which provides a kind of transition towards the solemn end of the season.
In 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments responded to an official request for clarification that the practice of emptying the baptismal font and holy water stoups (and even filling them with sand) is not allowed. However, the font may be emptied after the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday), leaving it bare on Good Friday before the new water is blessed at the Easter Vigil.
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Various parishes throughout the first two weeks of Lent.
"The Rite of Election, marked with a rite of such solemnity,
is the focal point of the Church's concern
for the catechumens" (RCIA 121).
Free parking for all instances of the Rite of Election at St. James Cathedral will be available at the Cabrini Medical Tower, across the street from O'Dea High School.
Thursday, April 6 at 7pm, St. James Cathedral in Seattle.
One of the most significant archdiocesan liturgies when Archbishop Sartain will bless and consecrate the sacramental oils to be used throughout the year and priests will publicly renew their priestly promises.
Free parking for the Chrism Mass will be available at the Cabrini Medical Tower, across the street from O'Dea High School.
 David Haas is highly regarded as one of the most prolific composers in liturgical music today. His songs include "You Are Mine," "Blest Are They," and "We are Called."
In Concert with David Haas!
Friday, March 10th at 7:30pm at St. Patrick Church
Suggested donation: $15 per person or $30 per family
Retreat with David Haas
"That You Might Have Life: Spiritual Practices for the Call to Holiness
Saturday, March 11th from 9am - 3pm a Our Lady of the Lake, Seattle
View the flyer for more information about both events with David Haas.
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