Ash Wednesday After Vatican II

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) called for the renewal of Lent, recovering its ancient baptismal character. This recovery was significantly advanced by the restoration of the catechumenate mandated by the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (1972). As Catholics have increasingly interacted with catechumens in the final stage of their preparation for Baptism, they have begun to understand Lent as a season of baptismal preparation and baptismal renewal.

Since Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, it naturally is also beginning to recover a baptismal focus. One hint of this is the second formula that is offered for the imposition of ashes: "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." Though it doesn't explicitly mention Baptism, it recalls our baptismal promises to reject sin and profess our faith. It is a clear call to conversion, to that movement away from sin and toward Christ that we have to embrace over and over again through our lives.

As the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday calls us to the conversion journey that marks the season. As the catechumens enter the final stage of their preparation for the Easter sacraments, we are all called to walk with them so that we will be prepared to renew our baptismal promises when Easter arrives.

With the disappearance of the catechumenate from the Church's life, people's understanding of the season of Lent changed. By the Middle Ages, the emphasis was no longer clearly baptismal. Instead, the main emphasis shifted to the passion and death of Christ. Medieval art reflected this increased focus on the suffering Savior; so did popular piety. Lent came to be seen as a time to acknowledge our guilt for the sins that led to Christ's passion and death. Repentance was then seen as a way to avoid punishment for sin more than as a way to renew our baptismal commitment.

With the gradual disappearance of the Order of Penitents, the use of ashes became detached from its original context. The focus on personal penance and the Sacrament of Penance continued in Lent, but the connection to Baptism was no longer obvious to most people. This is reflected in the formula that came to be associated with the distribution of ashes: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return." This text focuses on our mortality, as an incentive to take seriously the call to repentance, but there is little hint here of any baptismal meaning. This emphasis on mortality fit well with the medieval experience of life, when the threat of death was always at hand. Many people died very young, and the societal devastation of the plague made death even more prevalent.

The Order of Penitents

It seems, then, that our use of ashes at the beginning of Lent is an extension of the use of ashes with those entering the Order of Penitents. This discipline was the way the Sacrament of Penance was celebrated through most of the first millennium of Church history. Those who had committed serious sins confessed their sins to the bishop or his representative and were assigned a penance that was to be carried out over a period of time. After completing their penance, they were reconciled by the bishop with a prayer of absolution offered in the midst of the community.

During the time they worked out their penances, the penitents often had special places in church and wore special garments to indicate their status. Like the catechumens who were preparing for Baptism, they were often dismissed from the Sunday assembly after the Liturgy of the Word.

This whole process was modeled on the conversion journey of the catechumens, because the Church saw falling into serious sin after Baptism as an indication that a person had not really been converted. Penance was a second attempt to foster that conversion. Early Church fathers even called Penance a "second Baptism."

Lent developed in the Church as the whole community prayed and fasted for the catechumens who were preparing for Baptism. At the same time, those members of the community who were already baptized prepared to renew their baptismal promises at Easter, thus joining the catechumens in seeking to deepen their own conversion. It was natural, then, that the Order of Penitents also focused on Lent, with reconciliation often being celebrated on Holy Thursday so that the newly reconciled could share in the liturgies of the Triduum. With Lent clearly a season focused on Baptism, Penance found a home there as well.

Ashes in the History of the Church

Despite all these references in Scripture, the use of ashes in the Church left only a few records in the first millennium of Church history. Thomas Talley, an expert on the history of the liturgical year, says that the first clearly datable liturgy for Ash Wednesday that provides for sprinkling ashes is in the Romano-Germanic pontifical of 960. Before that time, ashes had been used as a sign of admission to the Order of Penitents. As early as the sixth century, the Spanish Mozarabic rite calls for signing the forehead with ashes when admitting a gravely ill person to the Order of Penitents. At the beginning of the 11th century, Abbot Aelfric notes that it was customary for all the faithful to take part in a ceremony on the Wednesday before Lent that included the imposition of ashes. Near the end of that century, Pope Urban II called for the general use of ashes on that day. Only later did this day come to be called Ash Wednesday.

At first, clerics and men had ashes sprinkled on their heads, while women had the sign of the cross made with ashes on their foreheads. Eventually, of course, the ritual used with women came to be used for men as well.

In the 12th century the rule developed that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Many parishes today invite parishioners to bring such palms to church before Lent begins and have a ritual burning of the palms after Mass.

The origin of the custom of using ashes in religious ritual is lost in the mists of pre-history, but we find references to the practice in our own religious tradition in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, calls for repentance this way: "O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes" (Jer 6:26).

The prophet Isaiah, on the other hand, critiques the use of sackcloth and ashes as inadequate to please God, but in the process he indicates that this practice was well-known in Israel: "Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: that a man bow his head like a reed, and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?" (Is 58:5).

The prophet Daniel pleaded for God to rescue Israel with sackcloth and ashes as a sign of Israel's repentance: "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes" (Dn 9:3).

Perhaps the best known example of repentance in the Old Testament also involves sackcloth and ashes. When the prophet Jonah finally obeyed God's command and preached in the great city of Nineveh, his preaching was amazingly effective. Word of his message was carried to the king of Nineveh. "When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes" (Jon 3:6).

In the book of Judith, we find acts of repentance that specify that the ashes were put on people's heads: "And all the Israelite men, women and children who lived in Jerusalem prostrated themselves in front of the temple building, with ashes strewn on their heads, displaying their sackcloth covering before the Lord" (Jdt 4:11; see also 4:15 and 9:1).

Just prior to the New Testament period, the rebels fighting for Jewish independence, the Maccabees, prepared for battle using ashes: "That day they fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their clothes" (1 Mc 3:47; see also 4:39).

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the use of sackcloth and ashes as signs of repentance: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes" (Mt 11:21, Lk 10:13).

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,


Attached you will find the agenda for the Spring 2014 Cursillo Regional Encounter which will be held at the Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center (1536 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA  93703).  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Cursillistas from California, Nevada, and Hawaii, hear inspiring talks, share useful ideas to deepen your spirituality and develop dynamic Christian communities, and to worship and thank God for His love and vibrant presence in our lives.  The cost is $55 for lodging and meals ($35 for meals only, if you choose alternative lodging).  Please complete and mail the attached registration form today to the appropriate addressee shown on the form for your Cursillo ethnic community. 

Cursillo Spring Regional Workshop – Region XI

Ryan Pastoral Center – Diocese of Fresno

April 11-13, 2014

Friday, April 11, 2014

 4:00pm – 5:30pm Regional Multicultural Secretariat meeting

 4:00pm – 6:00pm Registration

 5:30pm – 7:00pm Dinner

 7:00pm – 7:30pm Meditation

 7:30pm – 8:30pm Night Prayers, Exposition, Adoration and

Benediction

 8:30pm - 9:30 pm Ultreya

 

Saturday, April 12, 2014

 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers and Sabatina

 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass

 8:30am – 10:00am Breakfast

10:00am – 11:00am Keynote Address: Cef Aguillon “Benefits of

Affiliation”

 (All language)

11:00am – 11:15am Break

11:15am – 11:45am Spiritual Exercise

 

12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch

 1:15pm – 4:45 pm Workshops: Breakout per language group

 5:00pm – 6:30pm Dinner

 6:30pm – 7:00pm Night Prayers & Benediction

 7:30pm - 9:45pm Fiesta

Sunday, April 13, 2014

 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers

 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass/ Commissioning

 8:30am – 9:30am Breakfast

9:30am – 12:00 pm Diocesan Meetings per Language groups

 (See your Language Regional Coordinator for

Sunday Agenda)


If you prefer to download the agenda, please click on the file below:

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

Those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are invited to a 4-day journey to God through prayer and reflection based on the first encyclical of our Pope Francis.  A Lenten Mission will be begin Monday, March 24 through Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena Church located at 606 Mellus Street in Martinez, CA  94553.  Fr. Jose Arong, who has served as a Spiritual Director on many of our Cursillo Weekends, will present: “Living Our Faith In Light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith).” For more information, please contact St. Catherine Parish Office at (925) 228-2230.  You can read this encyclical before the event by clicking on this link:  http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html.

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

Deacon Bobby Peregrino, Spiritual Advisor for the Sacramento Filipino Cursillo Movement, has kindly shared his homily for last Sunday’s Mass.  It is titled, “Being Salt of the Earth and Light of the World and People will Know We are Christians by Our Love”.  You can find the audio link and the full text of his homily below this email.  De Colores!                                                                                                                  

Deacon Ben Agustin


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Homily on “Being Salt of the Earth and Light of the World and People will Know We are Christians by Our Love” based on the Gospel reading (Mt. 5:13-16) for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

 Click on the link below to listen to the audio of the homily:

http://stcatherinevallejo.org/wp/2014/02/10/homily-on-being-salt-of-the-earth-and-light-of-the-world/

 Here’s the text:

Jesus used the metaphors – salt, light, city set on a mountain - to describe the Church - relative to her mission in the world.  They all are for the sake of others.  When we speak of Church – We – ARE the Church - the People of God –and the Gospel message is for each one of us – not only addressed to the clergies or religious or the person next to you.

 “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt is not eaten for its own sake but salt is put into meat – to preserve it, to spice it up, to make it taste better.

 Actually - Salt cannot lose its saltiness.  Sodium chloride, salt, is a chemical compound.  Salt is not a complex composition like wine, which can become bitter.  Salt is not an organic compound like meat or cheese or bread, which can spoil or rot.  Salt is salt, pure and simple.

 So – what does Jesus really mean by the phrase, “but if the salt has lost its saltiness, it is useless, and worthy of being thrown out - to be trampled by - underfoot.” - which is a warning to us.

 Jesus is actually referring to the salt losing its usefulness – How? – We fail to live as the salt of the earth when we prefer to stay in the safety of the salt shaker – so to speak – just staying in our comfort zone and safe world - rather than fulfilling our destiny out in the world… which is to be the seasoning to those who face a bland existence; to serve as a preservative like the salt to keep the world from going bad… to preserve what is right and good and true.

 We lose our saltiness – so to speak – our distinctiveness as Sons and Daughters of God – when we simply blend in with the world… when we look and sound and act as everybody else…  So - Who needs us then?  What good are we for - then?

 Jesus did not command us: “You ought to be the salt of the earth, should act like salt, or pretend we were salt, or attempt to be salt.”  He said, “YOU ARE the salt of the earth.” – Referring to our identity – who we are - Meaning - We already have what we need to make a difference in the world… by virtue of our baptism in Christ.

 Our very being is Sacramental (signs/instruments) of God’s love, grace and mercy as the Body of Christ.

 “You ARE the light of the world.” Light is not threatened by darkness.  There is no measure of darkness that can swallow up light.  Darkness cannot quench light.  In fact, the greater the darkness, the greater the power of a single source of light to show the way.  “You are the light of the world,” Jesus said.  So do not fear the darkness.  Go conquer it.

 You are a City set on a Mountain… A city set up on a mountain helps guide the ship in its navigation … helps show the way to travelers…  The Church is meant to be visible so people can see how to guide their lives by it.  Literally – we can say – St. Catherine of Siena Parish Church is a Church set up on a hill.  So – is our parish, are our parishioners, is our community - a guiding light for people who live in darkness where hatred and violence and hopelessness dwell?

 Jesus calls His followers to make a difference in their world as a witness to the character and will of God.

 It has been said: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for good people to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke).  Doing nothing is a sin of omission.  It is a deadly sin.  We contribute to the cause of evil by our evil deeds, and also by not doing the good deeds we ought to do. 

Pope Francis said: "I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security."

 What good is the light of the lamp under a bushel basket.  It only lightens up the inside of the basket…  “You are the light of the world,” the Lord says. “Your light must shine before others so they can see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  We have a responsibility to others. 

 We heard in the first reading from Isaiah: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.”  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,” Our light should shine by caring for those who need us.

 When we perform charitable actions, we are beacons of the Light of Christ that has come into the world.  We have a responsibility to let others see this light of Christ, and through this light find their way out of darkness and despair and into the way of love and fulfillment, the way of holiness.

 Meaning – the reason why we help others in not just for sake of helping others - not just for the poor to have their physical and worldly needs met – but the ultimate goal is that by helping those in need -  out of darkness and despair – they, too, will find their way to love – to holiness – and Encounter Christ… so they can love God.

 This is the underlying reason and passion that drove Mother Teresa to help the poorest of the poor so that eventually they can love God… Christ is thirsty for the love of the poor.

 It is not enough that the followers of Jesus are the salt of the earth.  Jesus wants us to get out of the salt shaker into the flavorless world!

 Later, in that same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (7:21) Jesus calls us - not to be just identified with Him, but to follow Him. He went where people were hungry and poor, lonely and hopeless. He retreated to quiet places to be alone with God. He refused worldly power and wealth. He loved his enemies. Every day he took up a cross of self-sacrificing love. He calls us to follow him.

 In the Gospel of Mark 3:31-35 - Jesus said: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’

 The name “Christian” is not enough. Today maybe more people than ever before call themselves Christian but there are not nearly as many, however, who day by day follow in the way of Jesus Christ.

 There are not many whose lives are like salt, seasoning the world for others, - - - or like light, bringing illumination to all the dark places of the world. Do you know people like this? When we encounter such people, they don’t have to tell us they are Christians. We know who they are. When we ourselves decide to take seriously the invitation to follow Jesus, we will not need to identify ourselves to the world. “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

From: Mariz Garcia
Date:02/07/2014 11:58 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: CURSILLO RITES AND FINAL TRIBUTE TO Mommy Adela Echiverri Hello family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ,

Please join us in giving our final tribute to our loving and joyful matriarch, Mommy Adela Echiverri

as we "bid her adieu" and pray for her eternal peaceful rest....

on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the Memory Chapel, Forest Lawn, Covina Hills

with Visitation at 5pm

       ROSARY at 6 pm

       Visitation/Eulogies 6:30 pm

       NOVENA FOR THE DEAD 7:30 pm

       Visitation/Eulogies 8:00 pm

       CURSILLO RITES 8:25 pm.....

              [Mariz and Nanay Fe on the keyboard]

All musicians and songbirds are welcome to fill the air with songs, just drop in

and make the best offering.

If you are unable to make time on that day, the other scheduled services are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 11th  10 am to 4 pm - Visitation

                                 5 pm to 9 pm - Vigil Prayers

Wednesday, Feb. 12th  10 am to 4 pm  - Visitation

                                    5 pm tp 9 pm  -  Vigil Prayers

Thursday, Feb. 13th  10 am to 4 pm  - Visitation

                                6pm to 9 pm  -  Vigil Prayers

Friday, Feb. 14th  10 am Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga

Interment at a later date in the Philippines.

Our condolences and prayers to the families of Sis. Letty Sabiniano [National Cursillo Secretariat-Filipino Group]

and Rene Echiverri  -  VP I of KAPAMILYA FILIPINO MINISTRY of Sacred Heart, RC.....

...beloved children of Mommy Adela and dedicated servant leaders in our faith families.

Salamat po....DE COLORES!

Sis. Mariz Garcia