Mardi Gras:
Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m. at West Side Cafe 7950 Camp Bowie W Blvd
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a day of excess and celebration before the
Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally on Fat Tuesday, Christians consumed all of the fat in their homes to prepare for the upcoming season of fasting and penitence. At All Saints’, we celebrate Mardi Gras with a pancake feast, the crowning of the Mardi Gras King and Queen, and the entombing of our Alleluias.
Ash Wednesday:
Wednesday, February 14 at 12:00 p.m. in the Gray House Staff Chapel, and at 7:00 p.m. in the All Saints’ School Chapel
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent when we are called to observe 40 days of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter. The special Liturgy for Ash Wednesday includes the imposition of ashes, applied to our foreheads in the sign of the cross.
Why ashes?
Throughout Holy Scripture, ashes are a symbol of mortality, death, and grief. Whenever you read that someone walks about in "sackcloth and ashes," you know they are in mourning. On Ash Wednesday, we remember that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
First Sunday in Lent: Sunday, February 18
For almost 2,000 years, the Church has set aside 40 days to prepare to celebrate the Mystery of Easter. This season is marked by penance and fasting. Sunday, February 18 marks the first Sunday in Lent. All Saints' practices many changes in the typical customs of her worship. Some of these changes are:
• The sanctuary is as plain and simple as possible. There are no flowers. The Christus Rex is veiled. The color of vestments is purple.
• There are no organ preludes or postludes.
• The Entrance Rite is short, except on the first Sunday when the Great Litany is chanted in procession. There is no processional hymn.
• The Opening Acclamation is the one designated for Lent.
• The Service Music and Eucharistic Prayer are changed.
• The Agnus Dei (“Lamb of God”) is used, as is the Prayer of Humble Access.
May these changes put us all in mind to continually renew our repentance and faith this Holy Season.
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