The Season Lent - Grace Lenten Program

Lent - February 22nd - April 8th

The Season of LENT

Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history.

Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly.

In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).

(Source: Episcopal Church.org)

Grace Lenten Program - 3/1, 3/15, & 3/29

This year’s Grace Lenten Program will focus on fellowship, meditation, prayer, and the life of Jesus.  The three Wednesday evening sessions will be held on March 1st, March 15th and March 29th beginning at 6:30pm with a light supper of bread and soup in the Grace Undercroft Coffee House.  The sessions will provide an opportunity for prayer and reflection in the context of the life of Jesus leading to the events of Holy Week.  Parishioners interested in attending should call the Church office at 516 798-1122 extension 12 to reserve a seat.