Lent is almost upon us. Those fortunate enough to attend the Extraordinary Form have been blessed with Mother Church’s wise, gradual approach to the season of sacrifice. Beginning two weeks ago with Septuagesima Sunday (the seventieth day before Easter), the Gloria and Alleluia were dropped and the priests vested in violet. Those faithful, at least, were alerted to Lent’s approach.
But most of us, lacking that liturgical warning track, run into Lent at full tilt. Ash Wednesday arrives and we rush out the door with half-baked Lenten resolutions (usually the same as last year. . .and the year before. . .and. . .) and a vague idea of what it’s about. Which is all to say that, since Ash Wednesday is this week, we should take today and the next few days to prepare for Lent.
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