Lent
Lent is the 40-day season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that Christians observe in preparation for the celebration of Easter. This year the season begins on March 1 with Ash Wednesday and continues until Holy Thursday, April 13. The word "Lent" comes from the Middle English word "lenten" which meant "springtime." Lent is the Church's spring - a time for renewal and a reminder of the new life of baptism.

Holy Week - Palm Sunday, April 9 through Easter Sunday, April 16
During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, April 9, which joins Christ's entry into Jerusalem with the proclamation of the passion. Holy Week culminates with the celebration of the Easter Triduum, which is celebrated from Holy Thursday evening, April 13, through Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday, April 16. The weekdays of Holy Week through Holy Thursday are days of meditation on the passion of Christ and preparation for the celebration of the Triduum.

The Chrism Mass - Tuesday, April 11
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (812 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee). At this celebration Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, will consecrate the Holy Chrism and will bless the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick. Chrism, a specially perfumed olive oil, is consecrated for use at the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, as well as in the dedication of churches and altars.

Easter Triduum
Triduum is a Latin word meaning "three days." The Easter Triduum is a single, integrated celebration of the paschal mystery (the passion, death and resurrection of Christ). It is celebrated over three days, emphasizing different aspects of the mystery of salvation. Christian remembering is more than retracing the Lord's steps during his last days in Jerusalem. We actually live what we celebrate. At the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 13, the Church is already drawn into the whole event of Jesus' death and resurrection. The April 14 Good Friday Celebration of the Lord's Passion, which is not a Mass, is austere but never sad, for the risen Lord already reigns triumphant. At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 15, the Church waits in a spirit of expectation for the celebration of Christ's resurrection as well as its own. The Holy Spirit is invoked to hover over the waters of the baptismal font and the community of faith drinks deeply of the mystery of Jesus' passage from death to life.

Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 15
According to most ancient tradition, this night is "one of vigil (expectant waiting) for the Lord." The Vigil liturgy commemorates that holy night when the Lord rose from the dead. The Church again keeps vigil, waiting for the resurrection of the Lord, and celebrates the sacraments of Christian initiation. Adults who have spent the previous year or more in preparation are baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion for the first time. In this way, they are incorporated into the Christian faith and community in the Catholic Church. This Easter Vigil liturgy is filled with symbols and actions that are key to our Catholic Christian identity.

Easter Sunday - April 16
Easter Sunday is continuation of the Triduum and also is the beginning of the great Easter Season, which extends for fifty days through Pentecost Sunday, June 4. It is the principal feast of the Church year. Easter is the cornerstone of our faith and is the oldest feast of the Church.

Easter has no fixed date. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, following March 21. Consequently, the earliest possible date is March 22 and the latest is April 25.

Rules of Abstinence and Fast
The Catholic Church asks each member to preserve the penitential character and purpose of Lent. For this reason:

Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent.

Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On those days they should eat only one full meal. Smaller quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be consumed at other times during those two days. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one's 59th birthday.

N.B. Archbishop Dolan, in accord with the exercise of his canonical authority, has decided that the faithful of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are dispensed from the obligation of abstinence on Friday, March 17, 2006.

Sources: General Instruction of the Roman Missal, The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, Archdiocese of Milwaukee.