• Home
  • Parish
    • Liturgy & Devotions
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Eucharist and First Communion
      • Penance
      • Anointing of the Sick
      • Ordination
      • Marriage
    • Parish Pastoral Council
    • Parish Team
    • Choirs
    • Parish groups and organizations
    • Child Protection Policy
    • History of the Parish
    • Map of the Parish
  • Priory
    • History of the Priory
    • Dominicans
      • Biography of St. Dominic
      • History of the Dominicans in Ireland
      • The Dominicans in Ireland Today
      • 800th Jubilee of the Order
        • Calendar of the Jubilee
        • Jubilee News
        • Jubilee prayer
      • Dominican Vocation
    • Priory Institute
    • Alive – Catholic Newspaper
    • Retreat House
    • Today’s Good News
  • News
    • Commentary on the Gospel
    • Parish Notices
    • Feasts and Celebrations
    • Choirs and concerts
    • Events
    • Retreats
    • Calendar
  • Polish
  • Galleries
  • Contact
  • Home
  • News
  • Notices
  • Feasts and Celebrations
  • Lenten articles
  • The Works of Lent
December 13, 2019

The Works of Lent

The Works of Lent

by +Paschal Tiernan OP / Monday, 15 February 2016 / Published in Lenten articles

THE WORKS OF LENT

I may be wrong but I think that when the majority of people think of Lent they are inclined to consider that season as ascetical, The question pops up almost immediately: ‘What are you going off for Lent?’. There is nothing wrong with that but it shows that the mentality of so many is to identify Lent as purely penitential, rather than a way to live as a Christian throughout the entire year. Indeed it is a very good thing to have a particular period during the year when people try to live the Christian life in its fulness with, perhaps, the desire to live throughout the whole year as Lent is lived – giving oneself to God completely. My experience would be that very many people undertake works of asceticism during Lent and continue for long periods, perhaps for the rest of their lives. That can be extremely beneficial for them.

One of the big problems for many people with Lent is that they concentrate, perhaps too much, on external penances and not enough on remembering that Lent is essentially an exercise of the heart. Our obligation is to put our hearts into the exercises of Lent, This is not neglected but with the external exercises receiving the attention they are given, the heart can be allowed spend too much time in the background.

When I was still at school pocket-money was not plentiful and so there were not that many items we could “go off” for Lent; we were seldom “on them”. That was a great challenge for us to find something worthwhile to do for Lent. With the enthusiasm of youth and the competition from almost all others challenging us, we did do several penances and felt very good that we were giving Jesus our hearts, Our main exercises fell under three headings: Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. These were known as “the works of Lent”.

Everyone could practise them and the Church had rules to be observed by people of fourteen years of age and older when it came to abstinence so this was not a major problem.

Everyone could pray and so many attended various devotions provided in Churches.

The almsgiving may not have been too generous but the satisfaction in giving even a little was a wonderful sensation. The rules concerning fasting have since been modified by church authorities,

Prayer devotions have been reduced considerably but the almsgiving is quite generous and people have to be complimented on their present-day generosity.

Pope Francis is promoting the re-introduction of the Corporal and the Spiritual Works of Mercy. The immediate response to his initiative is very good and the prospects for the future are most encouraging. These two types of “works” are not novelties. Going back to my youth again, they were quite well-known but not widely practised. I have been very impressed by the Pope’s Lenten message for this year and I recommend that you read and reflect on it. It is found on one of these pages. Here are some short points he makes:

“Mercy expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe thus restoring his relationship with him. In Jesus crucified, God shows his desire to draw near to sinners, however far they may have strayed from him. In this way he hopes to soften the hardened heart of his Bride.”

Later he wrote: “God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn. In an ever new miracle, divine mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbour and to devote ourselves to what the Church’s tradition calls the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. These works remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbours in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them. On such things will we be judged. For this reason, I expressed my hope that “the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; this will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull.”

The Holy Father has many more wonderful and encouraging sayings such as these. I leave you so that you may check them for yourself  The Holy Father is really trying very hard to make you a saint, the purpose of your conception and birth. Thank God!

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Priory Newsletter 8.12.2019 (2nd Sunday of Advent A)

    Download the newsletter...
  • Reconciliation Service

    PREPARE THE WAY!A reconciliation Service for Ad...
  • Annual Priory Carol Service

    Sunday, 8th December at 4.00pm. Refreshments af...
  • Commentary on 2nd Sunday of Advent A, 8.12.2019

    TEXT: Matthew 03: 1–12 John the Baptist appears...
  • Priory Newsletter 1.12.2019 (1st Sunday of Advent A)

    Download the newsletter...

Calendar

  • Previous
  • Next
December 2019
MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday SSunday
25November 25, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: CA Meeting

Retreat House: CA Meeting

November 25, 2019 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

More about Retreat House: CA Meeting

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Circle Dancing

Retreat House: Circle Dancing

November 25, 2019 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Circle Dancing

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Men’s Yoga

Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

November 25, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

26November 26, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

November 26, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Shine Yoga

Retreat House: Shine Yoga

November 26, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm

More about Retreat House: Shine Yoga

Category: ChoirRetreat House: Zen Meditation

Retreat House: Zen Meditation

November 26, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Zen Meditation

27November 27, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

November 27, 2019 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Category: ChoirRetreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

November 27, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

28November 28, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

November 28, 2019 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

November 28, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

29November 29, 2019 30November 30, 2019 1December 1, 2019
2December 2, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: CA Meeting

Retreat House: CA Meeting

December 2, 2019 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

More about Retreat House: CA Meeting

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Circle Dancing

Retreat House: Circle Dancing

December 2, 2019 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Circle Dancing

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Men’s Yoga

Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

December 2, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

3December 3, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

December 3, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Shine Yoga

Retreat House: Shine Yoga

December 3, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm

More about Retreat House: Shine Yoga

Category: ChoirRetreat House: Zen Meditation

Retreat House: Zen Meditation

December 3, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Zen Meditation

4December 4, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

December 4, 2019 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Category: ChoirRetreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

December 4, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

5December 5, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

December 5, 2019 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

December 5, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

6December 6, 2019 7December 7, 2019 8December 8, 2019

Category: ChoirAnnual Priory Carol Service

Annual Priory Carol Service

December 8, 2019 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Annual Priory Carol Service

More about Annual Priory Carol Service

9December 9, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: CA Meeting

Retreat House: CA Meeting

December 9, 2019 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

More about Retreat House: CA Meeting

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Circle Dancing

Retreat House: Circle Dancing

December 9, 2019 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Circle Dancing

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Men’s Yoga

Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

December 9, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

10December 10, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

December 10, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

Category: parishReconciliation Service

Reconciliation Service

December 10, 2019 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Reconciliation Service

More about Reconciliation Service

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Shine Yoga

Retreat House: Shine Yoga

December 10, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm

More about Retreat House: Shine Yoga

Category: ChoirRetreat House: Zen Meditation

Retreat House: Zen Meditation

December 10, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Zen Meditation

11December 11, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

December 11, 2019 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: SRF Dublin Meditation Circle

Category: ChoirRetreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

December 11, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

12December 12, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

December 12, 2019 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Drop in Yoga Tallaght Cancer Support for all affected by Cancer

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

December 12, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

13December 13, 2019 14December 14, 2019 15December 15, 2019
16December 16, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: CA Meeting

Retreat House: CA Meeting

December 16, 2019 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

More about Retreat House: CA Meeting

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Circle Dancing

Retreat House: Circle Dancing

December 16, 2019 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Circle Dancing

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Men’s Yoga

Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

December 16, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

17December 17, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

December 17, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Shine Yoga

Retreat House: Shine Yoga

December 17, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm

More about Retreat House: Shine Yoga

Category: ChoirRetreat House: Zen Meditation

Retreat House: Zen Meditation

December 17, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Zen Meditation

18December 18, 2019

Category: ChoirRetreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

December 18, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: John Main Christian Meditation

19December 19, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

December 19, 2019 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

More about Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple

20December 20, 2019 21December 21, 2019 22December 22, 2019
23December 23, 2019

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: CA Meeting

Retreat House: CA Meeting

December 23, 2019 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

More about Retreat House: CA Meeting

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Circle Dancing

Retreat House: Circle Dancing

December 23, 2019 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Circle Dancing

Category: RetreatsRetreat House: Men’s Yoga

Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

December 23, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

More about Retreat House: Men’s Yoga

24December 24, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

December 24, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

25December 25, 2019 26December 26, 2019 27December 27, 2019 28December 28, 2019 29December 29, 2019
30December 30, 2019 31December 31, 2019

Category: MeetingsCraft & Chat Group

Craft & Chat Group

December 31, 2019 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

More about Craft & Chat Group

1January 1, 2020 2January 2, 2020 3January 3, 2020 4January 4, 2020 5January 5, 2020
  • 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm, December 12, 2019 – Retreat House: Christian Mystics made simple
  • 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, December 16, 2019 – Retreat House: CA Meeting
  • 7:15 pm – 9:00 pm, December 16, 2019 – Retreat House: Circle Dancing
  • 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, December 16, 2019 – Retreat House: Men’s Yoga
  • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, December 17, 2019 – Craft & Chat Group
  • 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm, December 17, 2019 – Retreat House: Shine Yoga
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2014 ST. MARY'S PRIORY. All Rights Reserved.
Tallaght Village, Dublin 24, Ireland, tel: +353 1 404 81 00, fax: +353 1 459 67 84, e-mail: admin@stmarys-tallaght.ie
PRIVACY POLICY
SITEMAP

TOP