What did you give up for Lent?

(CNN) -- For some, it's chocolate. For others, it's coffee or cigarettes. But as this Easter approaches, some young and devout Christians are anxious to return to what they gave up for Lent: Internet sites Facebook and MySpace.

Read the rest of the story here.

How Veiled Statues Might Blind the Catechumens

On her Work of the People blog, Diana Macalintal does an excellent job of clarifying the various understandings of the rubrics regarding the veiling of crosses and statues during Lent. Regardless of the permissions allowed however, one has to wonder about the retention of this medieval practice in the post-Vatican II church.

The veiling of images in the Western church has its origins in shrouding of all the liturgical elements (including the chalice!) in unbleached linen or silk during the middle ages. This shrouding took place at the beginning of Lent, and everything remained covered until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the symbolism of the shrouding was to remind us that this is a time when Christ remains hidden and does not walk openly among the people.

With the reform of the Second Vatican Council, we no longer think of Lent as a time in the desert, absent of Christ’s constant presence. Indeed, the reverse is the case. With the Elect among us every Sunday of Lent, Christ is perhaps more intensely recognized than at other times of the year. The intensity of Christ among us is clearly symbolized in the “recognition” stories of the Woman at the Well, the Man Born Blind, and the Raising of Lazarus, which are proclaimed during the Scrutinies.

While the theme of repentance is not forgotten during Lent, it is contextualized as a “special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter…[that] disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery… (Ceremonial of Bishops, 249). The Ceremonial goes on to say that “the bishop should be deeply concerned to promote the formation of catechumens” (250).

What formation will the veiling of statues provide for the catechumens? That Christ is not in the font, but in the tomb? That Christ is not now welling up in their hearts as with the Woman at the Well, but will be delayed in arriving until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil?

There seems to be little value in the veiling of statues beyond nostalgia, and the practice has the potential of providing a counter-catechesis for the Elect and the faithful. When it comes to shrouding the images in Lent, it is best we paraphrase the words of Jesus to Lazarus’ startled loved ones: “Unbind them, and let them go.”

Empty font for Lent?

I've never quite understood to motivation to empy the bapsimal fonts and holy water dishes during Lent. Don't we want the Elect to be confronted with the awe-filled power of the plunge they are about to take? Where is the conversion to be found in a dry hole?

So keep the fonts filled this year, and keep the challenge of baptism in front of the whole community—especially those who will be entering the water for the first time.

(For another look at the same issue, click here.)

Photo by Michael Wilson.

Lent on your iPhone

The Church of England is bringing Lent to your iPhone, Blackberry, or cell phone this year. For "10 pence a day," you can text he word "Lent" to 64343 to begin receiving daily suggestions for actions from Monday 19 February through to Easter Monday. The messages are simple actions (50 in all) that church leaders hope will encourage kindness across the planet.

Actions include:

• Give up your place to someone in a traffic jam or a queue
• Have a TV-free day and do something you have meant to do for ages
• Take part in an environmental clean up
• Watch the news and pray about what you see
• Leave a £1 coin in the shopping trolley or where someone will find it.
  

The campaign Web site, Love Life Live Lent, also includes downloadable prayers, background information on Lent, PowerPoint presentations, and doezens of ideas for living Lent well.

[via Chrisitan Today]

The cross and hoe

An RTJ subscriber wrote in about the February poster:

I have ordered the Stations of the Cross posters for my Sunday School program. I am working on activities to correlate with the poster. However, I do not understand the symbol that is used for the 5th Station. A hoe? Can you explain the relevance? Any help you can offer is appreciated.

Gwen Costello, who authors the monthly posters, replies:

In the gospels of Mark and Luke, Simon of Cyrene is referred to as "coming from the country," which has traditionally been interpreted as coming from the fields. The hoe is the symbol of his work in the fields. I'm sure there might be other symbols for Simon but I don't know of them personally. I hope your class enjoys the poster. My best wishes for some wonderful lenten lessons.

To order copies for your group or class, click here.