As we prepare to embark on our spiritual journey through Lent on our ascent to the holy mountain of Easter, we recall the double character of this holy season: “Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initiation by means of the rite of election, the scrutinies and catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer, are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.” (Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 249)

Therefore, for catechumens and candidates, Lent “is a period of more intense spiritual reparation, consisting more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction, and is intended to purify the minds and hearts of the ‘elect’ as they search their own consciences and do penance. This period is intended as well to enlighten the minds and hearts of the elect with a deeper knowledge of Christ the Savior. The celebration of certain rites, particularly the scrutinies and the presentations, brings out this process of purification and enlightenment and extends it over the course of the entire Lenten season.” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, No. 139)

As the “elect” of our parishes prepare for reception of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, the already fully initiated prepare to renew their baptismal promises at Easter. Lent offers one the opportunity to bring to mind “not only the social consequences of sin but also the essence of the virtue of penance, namely, detestation of sin as an offense against God.” Consequently, “during Lent penance should not only be inward and individual but also outward and social, and should be directed toward works of mercy on behalf of our brothers and sisters.” (Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 251)

As we recall from the “Lenten Regulations and Admonitions” (published on page 7 in this edition of The Catholic Herald), during Lent, the Church invites one to fast, pray and give alms more fervently than during the rest of the liturgical year. The “Lenten Regulations and Admonitions” offer some practical suggestions on how our fasting, praying and almsgiving may be undertaken. Whatever practices we choose to undertake during Lent, we keep in mind, as noted above, that there is a connection between our repentance and the renewal of our baptismal promises. What is this connection? First of all, we recall that “to baptize” means “to plunge” or “to immerse.” Therefore, the catechumen’s plunge into the waters of baptism “symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as ‘a new creature.’ ” (Catechism, No. 1214)

Consequently, it becomes clear that through the sacrament of Baptism one undergoes a kind of death before rising to new life in Christ. “May all who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism rise also with him to newness of life.” (Rite of Baptism for Several Children, No. 54). The link between Baptism and repentance lies in the understanding that repentance is precisely a “conversion” or a “turning away” from those sinful tendencies which separate us from God and from our neighbor. Conversion, then, is a death to ourselves, as Saint Paul so eloquently writes: “We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.” (Rom 6:6)

In order to help us die to self, we take on penitential practices which are not only “inward and individual,” but also “outward and social,” as noted above. Inward and individual penitential practices include receiving the Sacrament of Penance and engaging in self-denial and fasting. Outward and social penitential practices are centered on the works of mercy which are “charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.” As we recall, the spiritual works of mercy are instructing, advising, consoling, comforting, forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently, while the corporal works of mercy include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. (cf. Catechism, No. 2447)

May this season of Lent be a most blessed opportunity for all of us — catechumens and all the faithful — to prepare ourselves well to live the Paschal Mystery of our Lord’s suffering, death, and resurrection.

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