Lent!

Already tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Where has the time gone? It seems like Christmas just ended. In previous years, my home Archdiocese of Seattle has published “Lenten Regulations” to remind us what is expected of every Christian during Lent.

Since last year, however, they have taken a different approach. Instead, we have a web page called “Lent: Reflect and Renew“, which I heartily recommend to you.

The Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines have been compiled into an easy infographic, which is super handy, and there’s a lovely video by Archbishop Etienne on reflection and conversion. There are also some great reflections and resources. Check it out!

Archbishops Lenten Message from Archdiocese of Seattle on Vimeo.

In the interest of completeness, I’m posting an additional infographic under the official one.

What are your Lenten observances this year?

The Lenten regulations have varied greatly over the centuries. Sometimes they have been stricter, and sometimes more lax. For folks who might wish to go a little deeper into the older observances for Lent, I offer this chart from 1953.

I would also like to recommend for your reading Pope Saint Paul VI’s Apostolic Constitution Pænitemini, on fast and abstinence.