Liturgical Notes for the Holy Season of Lent
This is the time in which the Church prepares both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery.
Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.
This year Ash Wednesday is on March 9th, 2011.
Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week take precedence over all solemnities and feasts.
During Lent the altar is not decorated with flowers and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing, expect for the 4th Sunday of Lent and feasts or solemnities.
Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church.
The Fridays of lent are days of abstinence
As stated by the Vatican-- Holy Water is not to be removed from the founts until after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
Crosses in the church may be covered [in Red or Purple cloth] from the conclusion of the Mass for the Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent until the end of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.
Images in the Church may also be covered [in purple] until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Rose color Vestments may be used
The Alleluia is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.
The Glory is not sung or said on Sundays or other days unless they would be a Solemnity.
If Marriages are to take place during Lent, couples are to be reminded that wedding plans should respect the special nature of this liturgical season.
The sacraments of initiation are celebrated during Easter solemnities, and preparations for these are a distinctive character of Lent.