Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day upon which many would seek to be “shriven” before the beginning of Lent. In other words GO TO CONFESSION!
It is “Fat Tuesday”. When the discipline of Lent was more serious in the Latin Church, this was the last day you could eat animal fats, etc.
With this audio offering, I am beginning a series of daily podcasts for Lent. They are intended to give you a small boost every day, a little encouragement in your own use of this holy season.
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Dear Fr Z,
Excellent LENTCAzT for Shrove Tuesday.
Thank you.
in Domino.
Thank you Fr. Z for the upcoming LENTCAzt. I know I will benefit from them much like I did the ones you prepared for all during the Advent season. May God continue to bless you for helping us along the road towards our Lord Jesus Christ and a life of holiness.
Thank you for this LENTCAzT and I look forward to the rest of them over this Lenten season.
Thank you, Fr. Z.
Pray that I have the time, resolution, and presence of mind to keep at them. I am at low ebb going into Lent as it is.
When the discipline of Lent was more serious in the Latin Church
I recently stumbled upon Pope Paul’s Apostolic Constitution, Paenitemini on Fasting and Abstinence, and after reading it, I’m not entirely convinced anymore that the discipline of Lent is less serious than it was before. (In theory, that is. In practice, I think it has become a joke and we’re pathetic when it comes to Lent. In Canada during Lent, Friday abstinence isn’t even required aside from Good Friday. They are merely days of penance as any other Friday of the year. Further, why do I need to “consult a spiritual director/confessor” if I want to following the practices in place in 1962, which I would have been required to follow if I was alive back then? We’ve become so paranoid with “over-doing” penance that we don’t really do penance anymore!).
It appears to me that the changes were made in order to foster a spirit of penance so that we were doing penance, not because it was required by law under pain of grave sin, but out of charity and to grow in holiness. Somehow this got lost in the “Spirit of Vatican II”. When I read it, I read things that fell by the wayside of bishops and priests**. Nothing I read said we need to do less, but rather more, especially those of us who live in first world countries. We should probably be doing more than just what was prescribed prior to the changes in 1966, as it states: “(60) Therefore, where economic well-being is greater, so much more will the witness of asceticism have to be given in order that the sons of the Church may not be involved in the spirit of the “world,”" (Not to sound melancholic, but I think we’ve epically failed at “not be[ing] involved in the spirit of “world”.”)
I wonder how many priests and bishops even remember/are aware of what this short document said. Perhaps it would make a good PodCaZt for Lent.
**IX. 1. It is strongly desired that bishops and all pastors of souls, in addition to the more frequent use of the sacrament of penance, promote with zeal, particularly during the Lenten season, extraordinary practices of penitence aimed at expiation and impetration.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html
Dear Fr. Z,
you are in my prayers. Don’t feel any pressure, we understand. Maybe you could make a LENTCAzT once a week instead of every day? Thank you so much for what you do for us and for the Church!
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Thank you Fr Z! Consider your far-flung readers/listeners as parishioners…we benefit from these podcasts
Thanks Father! These 5 minute audios are good – I do hope you can persevere!
If I hear you right, I hope you get over that cold! In spite of that, you still demonstrate a wonderful ‘announcer’ voice.
I didn’t know Shrove Tuesday was also known as ‘Pancake Day’.
Mother was reminiscing that Feb 2 was called Pancake Sunday [Jour des crepes] because tradition recounts that the Holy Family had pancakes that day. Also I read that Pope Gelase I distributed crepes to pilgrims in Rome. What is this about crepes and Catholics?
In any case I love crepes! Haven’t had any in ages.
Very helpful and informative, Father, thanks!
I’m sorry you are at a low ebb — hope that will improve.
Thank you. I will pray for you and all priests
Thank you for the podcast, Father. In our family we go Pancake Day one better. We use up our milk, butter and eggs by making chocolate eclairs for ourselves and our neighbors. All must be gone before Ash Wednesday.
Our family goes Pancake Day one better. We use up our butter, milk and eggs by making chocolate eclairs for ourselves and our neighbors. All must be eaten before Ash Wednesday.
Thank you Father. I am shriven (I think I used it correctly). Sacramental confession has been a game changer for me. Thank you for reminding us frequently to take advantage of it. You will be in my prayers.
Speaking of pancakes… this year’s spatula goes to the UK… http://www.kansascity.com/2013/02/12/4063317/english-runner-wins-trans-atlantic.html
Lentcazts! Lately, I’ve found myself busy, distracted, and, spiritually speaking, I’m at something of a low ebb, myself. I know that these will be even more useful to me than your various CAzTs have been in the past. I hope you’re able to keep them up! Even if they become too burdensome, though, I hope you know that we appreciate the regular education and encouragement that you provide in so many forms.
Thank you for this Lentcazt. Great job! You have a great speaking voice and always present substantial and insightful content and beautiful music selections. I really enjoyed your Adventcazts.
I’m sure these are a big commitment to keep up with. I will pray that you will have the zeal to keep pumping these out all through Lent.
Thank you Fr. for this LENTCAzT. And for always bringing the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of our Church and faith.
God bless you Fr. Z, and thank you for this pastoral gift to your readers.
Thank you Father Z.
It all feels a little strange, like we are being left orphaned, and then, to go out into the desert at the same time.., but onward into battle!