We must each make a good Confession in preparation for our Easter Communion. This is an obligation. Therefore, make good use of the Confession times at Holy Family. Confession is available before all Masses on weekdays as well as before and during Mass on Sundays.

Liturgically, the readings follow the general themes of Advent, opening up with Wednesday’s Introit of Isaias 45, concerning the words of the Prophet Isaias, except for the last lesson on Saturday, which comes from Daniel and recounts how Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago are saved from King Nabuchodonosor’s fiery furnace by an Angel. This account, which is followed by a glorious hymn, is common to all Embertide Saturdays except for Whit Embertide. The Gospel readings for the three days concern, respectively, the Annunciation (St. Luke 1: 26-28), Visitation (St. Luke 1: 37-47), and Saint John the Baptist’s exhortation to us to ‘prepare the way of the Lord and make straight His paths’ (St. Luke 3: 1-6), and Psalm 18: 2: ‘Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour. The heavens show forth the glory of God: and the firmament declareth the work of His hands.’

Masses on Wednesday and Saturday will include one and four Lessons, respectively.

There will be blessing and imposition of ashes at the beginning of each Mass. Parishioners are reminded that Abstinence and Fasting must be observed on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. Abstinence binds (i.e. is obligatory for) those who have completed their 14th year; the law of fasting binds those 18 to 59. Only one normal-sized, meatless meal is permitted on such days. Two smaller, snack-like meals are permitted in order to maintain strength, such that if combined they would not equal a full meal.

General Laws of Fasting and Abstinence from the Code of Canon Law (1983)

Canon 1249 All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

Canon 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Canon 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Bishops’ Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays’ unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

[ The Canadian Bishops’ Conference has ruled that outside the Lenten season one may opt to do a different Friday penance than the traditional abstaining from meat, such as praying an extra rosary or doing the Stations of the Cross, or performing some charitable act which would be considered a penance. One may, of course, maintain the ancient Tradition of the meatless Friday all year through.]

Canon 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have obtained the age of majority, until the beginning of the sixtieth year [18 to 59 inclusive].

Canon 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

Wednesday’s and Saturday’s Masses will include one and four Lessons, respectively.