Lent

The Church waits at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. Easter celebrations begin after the Vigil.

Today the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior. It is a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer.

Called “Maundy Thursday”, after the first word—mandatum (“commandment”)—of the Gospel acclamation for the Mass.

Spy Wednesday is the day that Judas bargained with the High Priest to betray Jesus for thirty silver pieces.

The liturgy of Palm Sunday commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and marks the beginning Holy Week.

Passion Sunday memorializes the increasing antipathy against Christ from the Jews who would not accept Him.

Like the third Sunday of Advent, the fourth Sunday of Lent is a joyous break in an otherwise penitential season.

Every season, during Ember Days, the Church thanks God for the fruits of the earth and for human labor.