Seven weeks without…” “

We continue our review of Lenten activities in the European Churches (see SIR 13/2004). Russia Fasting, prayer, culture, and ecumenical exchange: that’s what Lent brings even in the city like Moscow. The programme of events was described to us by Salesian Father Augustyn Dziedziel, involved in pastoral care at the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, where some Salesian Sisters are also working as pastoral assistants. “In Lent – says Father Augustyn – we propose a week of spiritual exercises, as well as the traditional Sunday practice of the ‘Lamentations on the Passion of Jesus’ and the adoration of the Holy Sacrament. Each Friday, moreover, the Via Crucis is held”. “The faithful are eager to experience Lent as a time of more intense prayer, penance and reconciliation, explains Father Augustyn. Many observe fasting and abstinence. A special mass is organized for the sick, who are brought to the church in cars by parish volunteers”. The Catholic presence also arouses the interest of Orthodox faithful. Dziedziel explains: “At other times of the liturgical year, some ecumenical meetings are held. The Orthodox spontaneously come to visit and pray in our church. Each Sunday and Wednesday we hold concerts in the cathedral, especially organ concerts, which are attended not only by Catholics but also by Orthodox and those of other confessions”. Parish soup kitchen are run for down-and-outs and assistance to the poor provided by parish Caritas on weekdays. Some parishioners bring clothes and even foodstuffs or spontaneous offerings for the poor”. Aid and catechism is also provided for children and adolescents: “A hostel for street children has been in operation for some time – adds Father Dziedziel – where four ‘foster parent’ families provide their service: each family helps look after some 8/10 children. In total we are assisting some forty kids. We also run an oratory”. England “Dedicating time to listening to a member of the family, speaking with him/her about his/her own joys and sorrows; going to visit some relative whom we have not seen for a long time; planning a day of abstinence from radio and music to rediscover the value of silence; and suggestions of an ecological nature, such as a recycling day to avoid waste”. These are just some of the proposals for Lent made in the Redemptorist Fathers’ magazine “Lent Extra 2004”, on sale in all Catholic parishes of the UK for Lent. Lent, says the magazine, means forty days of renewed spiritual life that also impact on the lifestyle of the faithful and encourage them to sobriety, essentiality, silence and prayer. Particular attention is dedicated to charity and welcome: in this sense the visit to a foreign family that has only recently arrived in the quarter or neighbourhood is warmly recommended. There are also some curious suggestions: on 24 March “Lent Extra 2004” recommends families to browse through photographic albums together, to revive and share the memories the snapshots bring back. On 27 March families are recommended to avoid the use of the car. Meditations and prayers are usually reserved for Sundays. For children “Lent Extra 2004” proposes a toy train that at each ‘station’ of the forty days suggests a different idea, inspired by the Gospel of the day: e.g. “Do something that may bring pleasure to a member of your family” (8 March), “Think of someone whom you dislike and try to see something positive in him” (11 March), “Write a letter to a relative, describing what your family is intending to do at Easter” (2 April). Turkey Prayer and solidarity: a necessary partnership that is renewed each year in the parishes of Istanbul (Turkey), where, as Father Lorenzo Piretto, vicar general of the city, explains, the start of Lent is marked by the solemn celebration of the 25 February officiated by the bishop Msgr. Louis Pelâtre. “Turkish faithful and those of other nationalities – says Piretto – meet together for the beginning of this privileged period. By responding to the appeal of the Pope, who urges us not to abandon the least of our brothers, the poor, the underprivileged, the outcast, the community is called to make sacrifices to help those who are less fortunate. In this sense Caritas Turkey will be involved in collecting donations for the less fortunate, with special attention to refugees and immigrants”.