Lent – Page 10

First Sunday in Lent ~ 2013

February 20, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Lent 2013, Pregnancy, Rosary 5 Comments

1st Sunday in Lent – February 17, 2013

Ist Sunday of Lent, I Class

So I attended what will probably be my last High Mass without another baby in tote.

I was thankful for such a glorious Mass and Father L’s sermon. He spoke about the necessity to be aware of the battle that is currently taking place, the need to live for Christ in everything we do, and practical ways to avoid hell. DEO GRATIAS!

My family waited in Church after the Mass so I could receive a Blessing for Mothers Before Childbirth. Fr. L blessed me with the traditional formula. My heart leaped with joy and my eyes filled with tears. It was beautiful. It was powerful. It was exactly what I needed. Praise God!

Father also blessed my newest rosary. It was a lovely gift from a fellow blogger, Lauren of Knit in My Womb.

We hit the road shortly after Sweetie’s chorister lesson.

Sparkles was certain to remind me that the day was a First Class feast. I hadn’t realized that she was privy to the ~~lecture~~ direction I received from Father B in regards to fasting on Sunday.

We had our regular family dinner at Papa’s & Nana’s.

Needless, to say we celebrated the glorious day – SUNDAY!

~~~

First Week in Lent Sunday ~ Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas

IT WAS FITTING THAT CHRIST SHOULD BE TEMPTED Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. Matt. iv. i.

Christ willed to be tempted :

1. That he might assist us against our own temptations. St. Gregory says, " That our Redeemer, who had come on earth to be killed, should will to be tempted was not unworthy of him. It was indeed but just that he should overcome our temptations by his own, in the same way that he had come to overcome our death by his death."

2. To warn us that no man, however holy he be, should think himself safe and free from temptation. Whence again His choosing to be tempted after His baptism, about which St. Hilary says,

" The devil s wiles are especially directed to trap us at times when we have recently been made holy, because the devil desires no victory so much as a victory over the world of grace." Whence too, the scripture warns us, Son, when thou comestto the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation (Ecclus. ii. i).

3. To give us an example how we should over come the temptations of the devil, St. Augustine says, " Christ gave himself to the devil to be tempted, that in the matter of our overcoming those same temptations He might be of service not only by his help but by his example too."

4. To fill and saturate our minds with confidence in His mercy. For we have not a high-priest who cannot have compassion on our infirmities, but one tempted in all things, like as we are, without sin (Heb. iv. 15). (3 4i i.)

First Week of Lent – 2013

February 20, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Ash Wednesday, Lent, Lent 2013, Shrove Tuesday 2 Comments

Shrove Tuesday – February 12, 2013

Seven Holy Servite Founders, Confessors, III Class

I had planned for a quite in-home celebration for Shrovetide since I was not fit to partake in our normal tradition of visiting the elderly. I was plum out of energy from RMGS bake sale & meeting, 39 weeks pregnant, and a bit apprehensive to expose myself (or family) to any illnesses. I was willing to offer it up and thought the rest of the family was on the same page.

Papi has a lovely internal liturgical radar and recalled this time of year – festivities before the desert. He specifically remembered that we usually go bowling around this time. He set the plans into action and we had an impromptu Shrovetide celebration.

It has to be experienced to be fully believed, but there is a great blessing on such a Carnival time, shared in a family. To have spent a good Carnival will finally prove to the greater honor and glory of God, in enabling us to spend a good Lent!

Ash Wednesday – February 13, 2013

Ash Wednesday, I Class

We attended a local parish for 7am Mass and distribution of Ashes.

The rest of the day was a bit somber. School was done in the newest learning room, my bedroom. The littles organized all of their Lenten supplements and enjoyed some quite learning at the foot of my bed.

Dinner was as penitential as I could get, curried cream of broccoli soup. I was actually craving it but I knew it wouldn’t be a favorite for some of the kids since they prefer our traditional cream of broccoli and cheese soup.

Now it is only right that, before we arrive at that glory of impassibility and immortality which began in Christ, and which was acquired for us through Christ, we should be shaped after the pattern of Christ s sufferings. It is then only right that Christ s liability to suffer should remain in us too for a time, as a means of our coming to the impassibility of glory in the way He himself came to it. ~ Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2013

St. Valentine, Bishop & Martyr, III Class

Again, my plan was to keep our Lenten program since the day was only a 3rd class feast. Each of the kids were able to have one treat in the morning in honor of St. Valentine. Everything continued to go according to plan until the girls left for chorister lessons.

The boys opted for a snack, strawberries. The strawberry snack soon turned into chocolate dipped strawberries.

I was exhausted (it doesn’t take much these days). Plans for dinner were not looking good. I got the boys ready to venture out of the house for a date night with dad. We settled on In-N-Out.

We all enjoyed our special treat. It was nice to dine with just the boys. Papi had his usual, plain hamburger with fries. Dragonfly’s appetite was slightly less than a grown man. He had one and half servings of fries with pepper and salt.

We returned home to find that Nana (broke into the house) left a special treat for everyone.

We all had a night of relaxation. The boys got ready for bed early and we prayed our rosary. Then dad’s nesting bug kicked in, that’s what happens when mom lacks the energy to have her nesting kick in – GOD IS GOOD!

Dad rallied the troops. The two boys vacuumed the stairs with the shop vac while dad deep cleaned my room. Then the boys took turns vacuuming my room and hall way. It was a wonderful St. Valentine treat for me.

Friday after As Wednesday – February 15, 2013

Friday after Ash Wednesday, III Class

The morning was spent prepping for my in-home midwife appointment.

The kids worked on their Stations of the Cross projects.

We ate our lunch in the park since the weather was absolutely beautiful and I needed the exercise.

We ended the rather quite day with Stations of the Cross in my birthing suite. We used our DVD, Way of the Cross for Children and our Stations of the Cross Candles.

The times self-indicated for fasting are then those in which men are especially bound to free themselves from sin and to raise their minds to God in devotion. ~ Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas

Saturday after As Wednesday – February 16, 2013

Saturday after Ash Wednesday, III Class

The day was spent at home with no outside commitments. Dad coordinated a Lenten clean-up around the house and allowed me to hibernate. I seem to be coveting any quite time that I’m presented with, hoping that I’ll have enough reserve once Baby G arrives.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ~ John 12:24

2013 Family Lenten Program & Lenten Resources

February 12, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent 2 Comments

Lord, help us to see in your Crucifixion and Resurrection an example of how to endure and seemingly to die in the agony and conflict of daily life so that we may live more fully and creatively.

You accepted patiently and humbly the rebuffs of human life, as well as the tortures of your Crucifixion and Passion. Help us to accept the pains and conflicts that come to us each day as opportunities to grow as people and become more like you. Enable us to go through them patiently and bravely, trusting that you will support us. Make us realize that it is only by frequent deaths of ourselves and our self-centered desires that we can come to live more fully; for it is only by dying with you that we can rise with you. – Mother Teresa of Calcutta

~~~

We are ready (as can be) to enter into the desert, Lenten season. We will be keeping things simple this Lent and following our same Lenten program as last year.

We seek to be fully immersed in a life of prayer within our current state of life so that we can grow an intimate union with Christ, foster the virtues of humility and charity, and properly purge ourselves of things of this world that have been hindering our union with Him. We hope to model the Holy Family of Nazareth with the purpose of transforming our own family into a “true sanctuary of Love”.*

As always, my family has removed ourselves from all extracurriculars not related to the Church or our livelihood. Our days will be centered around prayer. We will refrain from participating in superfluous social events – leaving the home only out of necessity for our state in life, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and MASS.

All technology use will be kept to a minimum. The TV that was used for videos has been removed from the home for the entire Lenten Season. My computer use will be reduced to an hour a day, after the kids are in bed. Cell phones will only be used for communication purposes and will not be used in the home unless there is an emergency. Our kids do not use the computer on a regular basis so that is a non-issue.

In addition, my family will recommit to a dietary lifestyle change that He has called us to follow, using our plan from last year. The good Lord continues to give us the graces to move down this path so that we can have a complete restoration of health and be nourished with real food – all for His glory!

Lastly, we will continue to patiently wait for Baby G to arrive this Lenten Season. His official due date is Feb. 17 but I usually go two weeks over. I pray to joyfully embrace my usual long labor (avg. 30 hrs) and offer my crosses up for the intentions of Our Blessed Mother, cause of our Joy.

This Lenten season we pray for a complete transformation, total abandonment to God’s will, with child-like trust in His fatherly care, and readiness for service in profound humility after the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

We also pray that your Lenten journey be all that the good Lord wills for you and that you may joyfully cooperate with His grace.

+Ad Jesum Per Mariam+

*The foundation of our Lenten Program is based on the statutes that Dad and I seek to follow as LMC.

~~~

Daily Family Lenten Program:

Morning Offering
Angelus
Daily Readings – 1962 Roman Missal
Lenten Reflection – Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa
Angelus
Personal Spiritual Readings
Examen
Rosary – Meditations by St. Louis de Montfort
Compline

Daily Prayer Meditation & Intention:

Mon – Souls in Purgatory & End to Abortion
Tue – Holy Angels & Conversion of Family
Wed – St. Joseph & Godparents & Godchildren
Thur – Holy Eucharist & Pope Benedict XVI & Priests
Fri – Crucifixion & The Sick
Sat – Blessed Virgin Mary & Vocations
Sun – Blessed Trinity & Poor, homeless, and those in great need

Family Lenten Activities:

Review personal Lenten program chart (daily)
Update the Sacrifice Bean Jar for sacrifices/almsgiving (daily)
Pick Almsgiving item out of the jar (Mon.-Sat. with an emphasis on Mondays)
Family service at parish (Saturday)
Adoration (Thursday)
Mass & Stations of the Cross (Friday)
Mass (Daily until baby arrives & Sunday)

~~~

I will add more to the resource list throughout this Lenten season if I come across additional resources that I would like to use and/or share. Please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.

Lenten Resources:

Lenten Activities & Resources for Kids:

Other Lenten Reflections & Resources:

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Sexagesima Sunday
St. Matthias
Chair of St. Peter
Septuagesima Sunday
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Way of the Cross
How to Attend Mass
Lenten Resolution Renewal – based on an Audio Sancto Sermon
My Biggest Sacrifice
Counsels of Perfection for CHRISTIAN MOTHERS
SIMPLIFY
Daily Meditations
Pre-Lenten Recap
Charity is…
Lenten Calendar & Family Lenten Program
L-E-N-T

~~~

Now it is only right that, before we arrive at that glory of impassibility and immortality which began in Christ, and which was acquired for us through Christ, we should be shaped after the pattern of Christ’s sufferings. It is then only right that Christ’s liability to suffer should remain in us too for a time, as a means of our coming to the impassibility of glory in the way He himself came to it. ~ Meditations For Lent – St. Thomas Aquinas, (1-2 85 5 ad 2.)

2013 Lenten Calendar

February 12, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Lenten Calendar 2 Comments

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle talk; But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. ~ St. Ephraem, Doctor of the Church (d. 373) This prayer is often prayed with a prostration after each stanza.

~~~

This calendar corresponds with the 2013 Liturgical Calendar – of the Extraordinary Form.

In order to keep up the character of mournfulness and austerity which is so well suited to Lent, the Church, for many centuries, admitted very few feasts into this portion of her year, inasmuch as there is always joy where there is even a spiritual feast…During the last few centuries, she has admitted several other feasts into that portion of her general calendar which coincides with Lent; still, she observes a certain restriction, out of respect for the ancient practice. ~“The Mystery of Lent” – Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) from Dom Gueranger’s “The Liturgical Year”

*The calendar can be printed with a purple, purple print, white or a vintage background. The links to the calendar downloads are listed at the bottom of this post.

I print my calendar at Costco Photo in 16×20 ($5.99) for the family down stairs and 8×10 ($1.49) for bedrooms upstairs. It can also be printed at home.

~~~

The following prayers are also included on the calendar.

O Lord Jesus! who spent forty days in the desert without food or drink, and didst permit Thy self to be tempted by the evil spirit, give me, I beseech Thee by that holy fast, the grace to combat, during this holy season of Lent, under Thy protection, against intemperance, and to resist the suggestions of Satan that I may win the crown of eternal life. Amen. ~Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s The Church’s Year

~~~

Prayer Before A Crucifix ~ En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu
Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones." Amen.

This prayer calls to mind Psalm 21, in particular verses 17 and 18, which concern our Lord’s Passion. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful on any Friday of Lent or Passiontide who after Communion piously recite this prayer before an image of Christ crucified. On other days of the year the indulgence is partial.

~~~

You may download and print the calendar for your personal use. I only ask that you offer a decade of the Rosary for Priests of the the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).

***Please leave a comment stating how you plan to use this or any other Lenten Calendar. Also, feel free to leave your suggestions for future calendars.***

Email me at JOYfilledfamily{at}gmail{dot}com if you prefer to have a JPEG file and/or PDF sent directly to you. I will gladly send out the 2013 Lenten Calendar – JPEG file at any time in the Lenten Season.

~~~

Holy Thursday & Good Friday

April 10, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Triduum 1 Comment

Holy Thursday

commemorates Christ’s Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist

Altar of Repose

After the Mass, the priest takes off his chasuble and vests in a white cope. He returns to the Altar, incenses the Sacred Hosts in the ciborium, and, preceded by the Crucifer and torchbearers, carries the Ciborium to the "Altar of Repose," also called the "Holy Sepulchre," where it will remain "entombed" until the Mass of the Presanctified on Good Friday.

Then there follows the Stripping of the Altars, during which everything is removed as Antiphons and Psalms are recited. All the glorious symbols of Christ’s Presence are removed to give us the sense of His entering most fully into His Passion. Christ enters the Garden of Gethsemani; His arrest is imminent. Fortescue’s "Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described" tells us: "From now till Saturday no lamps in the church are lit. No bells are rung. Holy Water should be removed from all stoups and thrown into the sacrarium. A small quantity is kept for blessing the fire on Holy Saturday or for a sick call." The joyful signs of His Presence won’t return until Easter begins with the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening.

~Fisheaters

Good Friday

Good Friday¹ (also called "Great Friday" or "Holy Friday") is the most somber day of the entire year. A silence pervades, socializing is kept to a minimum, things are done quietly; it is a day of mourning; it is a funeral. The Temple of the Body of Christ is destroyed, capping the the penitential seasons begun on Septuagesima Sunday and becoming more intense throughout Lent. Traditional Catholics wear black, cover their mirrors, extinguish candles and any lamps burning before icons, keep amusements and distractions down, and go about the day in great solemnity. ~Fisheaters

Papi with a rose from the Altar of Repose

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