Background Information
Lent is a period of time in which Christians remember and recognise Jesus' journey in the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God (BBC,2014). The lenten season has numerous purposes for those of faith including the preparation of penance for the renewal of baptismal promises, the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation and the celebration of the Pascal Mystery. The Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for forty days, ending on the evening of Holy Thursday before the Mass of The Lord's Supper. This is supported by the Lent Calendar, provided United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which agrees with the above and instructs that Lent officially ends on Holy Thursday; although the Second Vatican Council has stated within Sacrosanctum Concilium that the Paschal Fast (observed during Lent) should be celebrated "everywhere on Good Friday and, where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection may be attained with (an) uplifted and clear mind" (1963).
Below, a 'Lent Events' document has been created in order to be used within the classroom to detail to students, the important celebrations contained within the Lenten Season. The document includes the Easter Tridumm in order to detail to the students, the immediate connection between the liturgical seasons of Lent and Easter.
- Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Symbols
According to Liturgy Brisbane, the 'Three most powerful symbols associated with liturgy in Lent are the ashes, the cross and the colour purple/violet' (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). A helpful website link has been provided below which will allow for a deeper teacher background knowledge and understanding of the liturgical season of Lent.
In Short;
Ashes
Hebrew scripture refers to the ashes through (Gen 18:27) where Abraham says of himself "I am dust and ashes" (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). The ashes are said to suggest humility and human insignificance (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015).
Cross
At the crucifixion of Jesus, the cross was said to symbolise hatred, pain and despair, whereas after the resurrection of Jesus the cross took on a new meaning of victory over death and the salvation from sin (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015).
Purple/Violet
The prescribed colour of Purple/Violet as the colour for Lent has been chosen in order to 'visually envoke a mood of simplicity' (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). It is said that the colour purple is a symbol of Lent itself.
Below, a 'Lent Events' document has been created in order to be used within the classroom to detail to students, the important celebrations contained within the Lenten Season. The document includes the Easter Tridumm in order to detail to the students, the immediate connection between the liturgical seasons of Lent and Easter.
- Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Symbols
According to Liturgy Brisbane, the 'Three most powerful symbols associated with liturgy in Lent are the ashes, the cross and the colour purple/violet' (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). A helpful website link has been provided below which will allow for a deeper teacher background knowledge and understanding of the liturgical season of Lent.
In Short;
Ashes
Hebrew scripture refers to the ashes through (Gen 18:27) where Abraham says of himself "I am dust and ashes" (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). The ashes are said to suggest humility and human insignificance (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015).
Cross
At the crucifixion of Jesus, the cross was said to symbolise hatred, pain and despair, whereas after the resurrection of Jesus the cross took on a new meaning of victory over death and the salvation from sin (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015).
Purple/Violet
The prescribed colour of Purple/Violet as the colour for Lent has been chosen in order to 'visually envoke a mood of simplicity' (Liturgy Brisbane, 2015). It is said that the colour purple is a symbol of Lent itself.
Page Resources
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