Holy Cross Catholic Church
Resources
What are the Lenten Regulations?
1. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat as well as days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed. On days of fast, two other meatless meals may be taken, according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another meal.
2. The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
3. The obligation to abstain from meat begins at fourteen (14) years of age and never ends.
4. The obligation to fast begins at eighteen (18) years of age and ends at fifty-nine (59) years of age.
5. Although the faithful may excuse themselves, for a just cause, from these laws of fast and abstinence, there is an obligation to substitute another penance and no Catholic should lightly excuse themselves from these obligations in the Lenten season.
What about confession?
This year, 2025, the Parishes of the Springfield Deanery invite you to attend a Lenten Penance Service, Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield. Join us for Mass at 5:15 p.m. followed by confessions heard by area priests in various languages. Reconciliation is also available Saturdays from 3:00-3:30 pm, or by appointment at Holy Cross.
Been a while since your last confession? That's OK, we're here to help. Here are some resources to assist you...
Before you go..
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First is a very detailed examination of conscience.
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Second is an examination of conscience through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
When you go..
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Finally, here is a step-by-step, all on one page guide that you can bring with you to confession.
What about giving up (or taking up) something for Lent?
There is a long tradition of either giving up (think coffee, alcohol, sweets), or taking up (praying the rosary, attending daily Mass, volunteering, etc.) something for Lent. If you are looking for something new to try, we have included a link to resources for both below.
Have a very Blessed Lent everyone!
