Ash Wednesday

Feb 21, 2012

Tonight I celebrated a Vigil Mass for Ash Wednesday at Hanmer Springs. Our parishes continue this journey into Lent tomorrow with Masses and Services at Cheviot Rest Home, Waiau, Culverden, Amberley and Cheviot.  You can view the full timetable on the newsletter at this link.

Fr. Robert Barron (who preached the retreat for the priests of the Christchurch diocese in November of last year) gives a good introduction to the season of Lent in the youtube clip below.

And a prayer from the Preface II of Lent from the Third Edition of the Roman Missal:

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For you have given your children a sacred time
for the renewing and purifying of their hearts,
that, freed from disordered affections,
that may so deal with the things of this passing world
as to hold rather to the things that eternally endure.

And so, with all the Angels and Saints,
we praise you, as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy Holy Lord God of hosts…

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