Lent…In a Few Words, by Fr David

LENT

The tradition of marking our foreheads with ashes from burned palms blessed  from the year before on Palm Sunday, started by Pope Gregory the Great in the year 600. In the beginning, Lent lasted only one week before Easter. In the 4th century, the 40 days were introduced. The Catechumens had a great deal to do with the formation of Lent. Fasting was prescribed for all candidates seeking Baptism. Only one meal was allowed and meat,  fish and dairy products were not permitted. In the ninth century the law was replaced allowing one meal at noon and a small one in the evening. In 1500, the ban of fish was lifted and meat was allowed on Sundays. In 1960, Pope Paul  VI stated that only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence from meat.  All Fridays of Lent remained however , meatless. Nonetheless, we are urged to keep the threefold discipline of Lent, namely, Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving in preparation of the great Feast of Easter.

Fr. David Farrugia

 About Fr David

In A Few Words. I  will be starting short paragraphs, which I think you will find interesting and educational at the same time. My name is Father David Farrugia, a Dominican priest of the California Province, known also as the Province of the Holy name of Jesus.
I grew up in Malta, was in a church that dates to 1200, in the town of Vittoriosa. ST. Paul the Apostle converted the Maltese in the year 60, where he stayed for three months after the shipwrecked.(Acts.28) Tradition has it that ST Luke painted a picture of Mary that now hangs in
one of the churches of the islands. The Dominican Order, which I joined at the age of 20, came to Malta in 1492. I was ordained a priest in 1960 at ST. John’s Cathedral, built by the Knights of Malta in 1525. After arriving in the U.S. I held a variety of assignments throughout the
province and also spent some time at Notre Dame University and in the Holy Land. These articles have no connection to each other, but I think and hope that we stay connected in Jesus Christ.
Fr.David.


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