This week marks the start of Lent, with Ash Wednesday, so it is time to start preparing if you haven't already.
Although Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, this period was something of a later add-on to Lent to make up the correct number of days (given that Sundays are not counted for fasting and other purposes).
The liturgy does intensify, with special canticle antiphons each day at both Lauds and Vespers, and two collects each day (the one listed as for Lauds is also used at Matins and Terce to None; the other is for Vespers) but the rest of the Office at Lauds to Vespers remains that of 'throughout the year'.
This is, though, a good time to start practicing the Office hymns for Lent, and read through the rubrics for Lent.
This is a good time, I think, to reread Chapter 49 of the Rule of St Benedict, on the observance of Lent. Take a look also at chapters 41 and 48.
I've also written a couple of posts drawing out its application which you can find here:
If you are looking for something extra by way of prayer for Lent, consider these suggestions:
The Office from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent
Although Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, this period was something of a later add-on to Lent to make up the correct number of days (given that Sundays are not counted for fasting and other purposes).
The liturgy does intensify, with special canticle antiphons each day at both Lauds and Vespers, and two collects each day (the one listed as for Lauds is also used at Matins and Terce to None; the other is for Vespers) but the rest of the Office at Lauds to Vespers remains that of 'throughout the year'.
This is, though, a good time to start practicing the Office hymns for Lent, and read through the rubrics for Lent.
The Rule on the observance of Lent
This is a good time, I think, to reread Chapter 49 of the Rule of St Benedict, on the observance of Lent. Take a look also at chapters 41 and 48.
I've also written a couple of posts drawing out its application which you can find here:
- on sacred reading during Lent (read a book right through);
- refrain from sin and apply ourselves to prayer;
- fasting and abstinence.
Suggestions for something extra by way of prayer...
If you are looking for something extra by way of prayer for Lent, consider these suggestions:
- add an extra hour of the Office to your normal prayer regime;
- read through the Matins readings each day. The are generally patristic readings on the Gospel used at the EF Mass of the day, and you can find them on the Lectio Divina Notes Blog;
- pray the penitential psalms. If you would like to explore them in more depth, you can follow my Lenten series on them;
- pray the Gradual psalms. Again I have previously provided notes on these in a Lenten series;
- pray Psalm 118. The link takes to you to my notes on them, with a post for each day of Lent;
- work through the psalms of Holy Week Tenebrae.
