​Lenten Disciplines

Brendan Murphy on February 9, 2024

The Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) is a part of The Episcopal Church open to all, but not required of anyone. Lent is an appropriate time to explore this sacrament of the Church found on page 446 of the Book of Common Prayer. Feel free to contact Fr. Michael at the office if you wish to schedule a time or just to sit down and share your spiritual journey.

Fridays in Lent are days of special devotion and fasting (BCP 17). It might mean the traditional abstaining from meat, but it also might be another way of simplifying your life during this Holy Season. Pray and think how you might make this Lent unique.
Why we do what we do
Each season is unique in the Church year. Some seasons are somber, other joyous, and others just ordinary.We will be keeping a number of Lenten traditions this year:
  • The Great Litany (BCP 148) was the first part of the Prayerbook translated by the reformers from Latin into English. This rather long prayer was meant to be prayed by everyone for all the needs of the world. It is traditionally used on the first Sundays of Advent and Lent.
  • The Trisagion (Thrice Holy Hymn) comes the Eastern Church and it used as a Gospel acclamation. The version we will be using from the hymnal (S-102) comes from the Slavic Church as a way to connect with the sufferings in Ukraine.
  • The Apostles’ Creed is a simpler creed used an instruction to prepare people for baptism. In Lent, we are all preparing to renewal our Baptismal Vows at Easter no matter when we were baptized.
  • Eucharistic Prayer A (BCP 361) is the shortest prayer focusing on the death and resurrection of Jesus.
These small changes set the tone of Lent as a time of journeying towards Holy Week and Easter.