From Ashes to Renewal
Our death is no longer a source of fear and sorrow, but because Christ died and rose from the dead, we now are a people of hope.
Father Justin Braun of Sacred Heart Catholic Church explains the traditions and significance of Lent in the Catholic Church.
How does the Church prepare for the Lent season, and what specific practices or traditions do you encourage among congregants?
It all begins with Ash Wednesday—A day in which our heads are rubbed with pulverized ashes from the palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service, and the individual hears the priest or minister say the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is a sobering reminder as we begin the Lenten season that we didn’t create ourselves, we will not be reincarnated, and we don’t go to the multi-verse—we die! But our death is no longer a source of fear and sorrow, but because Christ died and rose from the dead, we now are a people of hope. Throughout the season of Lent, there are three traditional practices and two customs that all Catholics are encouraged to participate in:
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving— These three traditional Jewish practices were always associated with religious holidays and, really, life in general. Even Jesus himself fasted and prayed to cast out certain demons. What is encouraged is that everyone above the age of reason (about 7 years old) offer to take on a little extra prayer, a little extra self-denial (fasting), and give a little from what you need (sacrificial almsgiving) instead of just giving from your surplus or your normal giving.
Two customs we also have— On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, all Catholics ages 11 to 65—as well as those who are physically able, regardless of age—are supposed to abstain from meat (including beef, pork, and chicken) and are expected to eat only one full meal and may have two smaller snacks that together do not equal a full meal. Throughout Lent, it is also customary to abstain from meat on Fridays, a tradition that, until about 45 years ago, was required on every Friday of the year in our country.
The entire season of Lent reminds us of the Exodus in the Old Testament—The 40-year wandering of Moses and the Israelites as they sought the promised land to worship—and also of Jesus’s temptation in the desert for forty days. Both events (along with others in the Bible) serve as reminders that we are called to grow in trust and reliance on God rather than on ourselves and the comforts we enjoy—pleasure, wealth, and “our” time. Lent is a season of preparation for the great glory of Easter, and so through these practices of self-denial, repentance from sin, and growth in charity, we can be more like Christ, who modeled all of this for us in His life.
How do you engage the community during Lent and Easter, and what outreach efforts are in place during these seasons?
We have a weekly fish fry at 6:00 pm in our parish center in room 17 (our usual space is being renovated in recognition of our 150 anniversary and will have its re-opening in May). Following the fish fry, we have the spiritual celebration of the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm in English and 7:30 pm in Spanish. The Stations of the Cross is a devotion from the Middle Ages that grew out of the need to engage people’s intellect and heart at a time when books were still not widely available (no printing press) and the art of sculpture, painting, and stained glass windows were often the only education someone would receive in shaping the imagination with images of the life of Christ. The 14 Stations of the Cross each are snapshots of Our Lord’s journey through Calvary, and the total time to pray with the community is about 23 minutes, so please join us any Friday during this Lent for a chance to experience this prayer.
If you have never been to our church, I want to invite you to join us during the Sacred Triduum, the most holy day of the year for us Catholic Christians. These three services offer a powerful introduction to the theological and scriptural depth of Catholic worship and a beautiful opportunity for you to witness the Church in her best form—at worship of Her Head and Spouse, Jesus Christ!
- Holy Thursday – April 17 at 7:00 pm
- Good Friday – April 18 at 3:00 pm (English Service) and 6:00 pm (Spanish Service)
- Easter Vigil – April 19 (The “Super Bowl” of Catholic worship) at 8:15 pm
I hope you’ll consider joining us on these most sacred days!
To learn more about Sacred Heart Catholic Church and its 150-year history in Texarkana, be sure to check out the April edition of Texarkana Magazine when it hits stands.
