Preparation
for the Lenten Season
The
forty-day season 
of Lent begins on Wednesday with
the traditional giving of ashes on the forehead, calling
all God’s people to repentance. The word “Lent” actually derives from the
Old English word “Lencten” meaning “spring”. This
is presumably because the Lenten season ordinarily corresponds the coming of
springtime. It is through the “pillars” of prayer,
fasting and almsgiving that we deepen our relationship
with
the Lord of life so that we can experience Easter in a
more meaningful way.On Monday, February 24th, our community had a “family meeting” to discuss a plan for the observance of the Lenten season. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that the communal observances of our monks at St. Benedict Monastery encompass the three “pillars” of Lenten sacrifice. Along with the community practices and disciplines, each monk chooses his own sacrifices to offer to the Lord and discipline the senses. Our Prior, Fr. Michael Green invited the monks to disclose to him their personal sacrifices so that he can pray for God’s blessings for each of us as we journey toward the road to Calvary with our Lord.
We encourage you to embrace the gift of this holy season. Prayer, fasting and acts of kindness and generosity are life changing practices that we cannot do without. We pray that the effort we are making as followers of Christ may be of benefit not only for ourselves, but also for those who count on our faithfulness and prayers. May we truly make this journey of Lent a gracious time of spiritual strength, so that we may share as one in the eternal joys of Easter.