Father Hathaway’s Weekly Column — February 27, 2022
MARCH 2: ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday, March 2, is the beginning of Lent, a period of penance and reflection, recalling the 40 days
Christ fasted in the desert in preparation for His Passion and death. The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are an outward sign reminding us of our mortality and the need to repent.
Our Masses that day, with distribution of ashes, will be at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (with choir). Confessions will follow the 12:10 p.m. Mass. There also will be Adoration after the 12:10 p.m. Mass until 4:45 p.m.
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Catholics ages 18 through 59 are required to fast, eating only one full meal. Two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal also are permitted, if needed, to sustain energy. Everyone age 14 and older also is required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.
MARCH 4: STATIONS & LENTEN SUPPERS BEGIN
Friday, March 4, will see the return of two much-loved, family-friendly Lenten traditions at the Basilica: Lenten Suppers and Stations of the Cross. Please join us for both!
Lenten Suppers — 6 p.m. in the parish Lyceum (313 Duke Street) on March 4, 11, 18 and 25, and April 1 and 8. The suppers will be meatless, except for March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and a time of celebration! Each Friday’s supper will be hosted by one of our wonderful parish Apostolate groups. A free-will donation will support the work of our Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
Stations of the Cross — 7 p.m. in the Basilica on the Fridays of Lent,
including Friday, April 15 – Good Friday. Also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, the 14 stations prayerfully commemorate specific events of Christ’s last day on Earth, following His journey from Pontius Pilate’s praetorium to His tomb.
MARCH 4: PLENARY INDULGENCE
A privilege granted to Saint Mary as a Basilica is a plenary indulgence available to those who devoutly visit the Basilica and participate in any sacred rite (such as Mass or Stations of the Cross) or at least recite the Lord’s Prayer here on certain days. One of those days is Friday, March 4, the anniversary of the dedication of Saint Mary Church by Father Francis Ignatius Neale, S.J., in 1827. To receive the plenary indulgence, the usual conditions apply: Go to confession, receive Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. These conditions may be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.
MARCH 6: PREMIERE OF OUR NEW CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Our Saint Gregory Children’s Choir will sing their first Mass here at the Basilica at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 6. Under the expert instruction of Director of Music David Elliott, the young singers began their music studies last fall. They now look forward to presenting to the congregation the results of their hard work. As they continue to learn and grow as musicians, the children will sing more frequently at Mass, with the eventual goal of singing once a month. What a blessing it will be to have the Basilica filled with the joyful sounds of singing children!