“They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.” Mark 15:17-20
The Season of Lent: February 22 – April 6, 2023
Lent is a penitential season, 40 days prior to Easter, where we focus on prayer, fasting, and giving in order to grow closer to God. It begins with Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Thursday, which is the start of the Easter Triduum. During Lent, we practice abstinence from meat on Fridays, and have several fast days; all to deprive ourselves of physical comforts as to open our hearts and minds more fully to the spiritual comfort that only God can fulfill.
Many Catholics will also give up certain luxuries as a form of penitence, or conversely add a spiritual discipline, such as increased prayer, participation in small faith-sharing groups, or practicing stations of the cross.
Here at Saint Gregory the Great we have many Lenten traditions and are ever-expanding to adopt new practices in order to deepen our faith and love in appreciation of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Please continue reading for some practical suggestions on how this year can become your best Lent ever!
***Please note; during lent all 5:00 pm Saturday Masses will be incense free.***
During this season of Lent, you are invited into the desert: a quiet place, with less of us and more of God.
Enjoy Busted Halo’s reflection on what Lent is all about.
Lenten Little Books
Reflections will be based on the first reading for daily Mass. Reflections begin February 19, 2023, and end Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Each Little Book has been carefully crafted to help you explore the depths of Scripture and deepen your relationship with Christ.
A Saint Gregory the Great favorite among parishioners!
Matthew Kelly's Best Lent Ever!
What Is Best Lent Ever?
It’s a free email program that will guide you on an incredible journey toward the-best-version-of-yourself.
Watch Inspirational Videos:
Starting Ash Wednesday (February 22), you’ll receive daily emails with short inspirational videos, practical tips for your life, and personal stories from the Dynamic Catholic team.
Become a-Better-Version-of-Yourself:
You’ll learn simple yet powerful ways to transform your life in forty days—and you’ll be well on your way to becoming the person God created you to be.
Each year all parishes in the Diocese of San Diego are asked to participate in the Annual Lenten Collection. This collection raises funds for Catholic Relief Services, the Church in Africa, and the Church in Latin America. In addition to collection envelopes which we have placed in the back of the church, or in the parish office, you can also make your contribution through our diocesan webpage by clicking here.
Special collections provide an opportunity for us as individuals and as a parish faith community to reach out in solidarity and assist those in need elsewhere in the world. Monies raised by this collection goes to help the Church in areas beyond our national borders.
In this light, we encourage you to join others in our parish and throughout the diocese in responding generously to this collection.
Questions? Contact the Diocese of San Diego 858-490-8290.
Signs and Symbols of Lent
“By the solemn forty days of Lent, the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 540
The Church has had a period of Lenten preparation since Apostolic times. The earliest reference to 40 days of preparation comes from the Council of Nicaea (AD325). Originally there was no common way of celebration, and differences arose between the churches in the East and West. St. Gregory the Great noted that because Sundays were excluded (Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection and never a day of fasting) the number of fasting days was less than 40. This was the reason extra days were added before the First Sunday of Lent, creating Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent.
40 is a frequently used number in the Old Testament. It was associated with times of trial and testing. Noah endured 40 days and nights of flood; the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert; Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days on two occasions and Kings Saul, David and Solomon each reigned for 40 years (this was considered the length of a generation). 40 was also used as a part of ritual. The tabernacle was 40 cubits long and 40 was the maximum number of lashes allowed in punishment. Jesus spending 40 days in the desert at the beginning of his Public Ministry, seems therefore right and fitting. There is more beautiful synergy in that he spent 40 days in the desert, then 40 hours in the tomb, (we remember this is Quarrant Ore) and then a further 40 days till the Ascension! By observing 40 days of Lent, we join Christ in a unique way. It’s a unique sign which marks the passage of time. We can be like him and be with him.
In parish and school there are opportunities for individuals and groups to be creative. 40 acts of kindness, raising 40 Euros [Dollars] for charity, saying 40 prayers, 40 images of places in the world that need our prayer.
Excerpt by Maria Hall, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Ireland
Intercom Magazine, March 2023
Ashes signify man’s overthrow by time. Our own swift passage, ours and not someone else’s, ours, mine…everything turns to ashes, everything whatever. This house I live in, these clothes I am wearing, my household stuff, my money, my fields, meadows, woods…whatever was great in my eyes upon earth, whatever small and contemptible, all without exception will fall back to dust.
