As of Septuagesima Sunday (this past Sunday), the traditional Liturgical Calendar moves from the Cycle of Christmas to the Cycle of Easter. We remain in this second part for the rest of the year. We have been meditating upon the Mystery of the Incarnation and now we contemplate the Mystery of the Redemption. The Cycle of Christmas contained Advent, Christmastide and Time after Epiphany. The Cycle of Easter contains Septuagesima, Lent, Passiontide, Easter Time and Time after Pentecost.
As we begin our journey into the Redemption of our souls, we consider how to best conduct our approaching Lent. This is the purpose of Septuagesima, to arrive at Lent fully prepared and ready to roll. Otherwise, you wake up on Ash Wednesday and say, “Oh no, it’s Ash Wednesday already. What am I giving up? I just made coffee. Should I give up coffee? I don’t want to dump it now, that’s expensive coffee.” Or…”Why did I buy all those cookies?” You can laugh, but YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE!
In terms of which Lenten practices you may wish to do, maybe think a bit creatively this year, instead of the “same old thing.” As we discussed in our “Total Eclipse” post, the world is engulfed in sin and emerging chaos. Prayer, fasting, penance and spiritual practices in general, are so needed at this time. And being that February is a month devoted to the Passion of Our Lord, this may help point our exercises in that direction. Of course, there are the Sorrowful Mysteries, which some say each day in Lent. There are the litanies of the Passion and the Holy Cross. Here also, is a Lenten Novena.
Following are some of the notable feasts of this month (we provide both trad and new feasts)…
2nd-Presentation of Our Lord (also known as Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Candlemas, when traditionally, candles are blessed)
3rd-St. Blaise (Blessing of Throats)
4th-Sexagesima Sunday
11th-Quinquagesima Sunday, Our Lady of Lourdes
13th-Shrove Tuesday (Holy Face of Jesus traditionally celebrated)
14th-Ash Wednesday (fast & abstinence), St. Valentine (wonderful day to offer up for the intention of chastity)
21st-Ember Wednesday of Lent/Spring
23rd-Ember Friday of Lent/Spring
24th-Ember Saturday of Lent/Spring, St. Matthias