ABSTINENCE: (not eating meat) Binds those over the age of 14 years. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.

FASTING: Binds those over 18 years and under 59 years of age. Eating between meals is not permitted on fast days, except for liquids (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).  One full meal and two smaller meals are permitted.  If you have health issues that prevent you from observing these Lenten expectations you are dispensed.  You are asked to commit to someother observance which helps you keep the spirit of Lent.

Each Wednesday and Friday during Lent a special collection is taken up at St. Mary Cathedral to help the needy in our community. The ENTIRE collection is used for this purpose.

Last year over $16,000 was collected and distributed to the following agencies and ministries.
Tri-County Meals on Wheels, Shared Pregnancy Women's Center, Advent House Ministries,Cristo Rey Community Center, Greater Lansing Food Bank, St. Vincent Home, Bethany House, Outreach Mass, Mother Teresa House and Sparrows Nest.

Thank you for your support last year and urge you to contribute as you can to these Lenten Collections each week.

If you are a St. Mary parishioner, there are "Lenten Collection" envelopes in the your envelope packet. If you choose to use these envelopes you will be given credit for your Lenten almsgiving, on your end of year statement.

The following Lenten services are being offered to help us in contemplation and prayer as we prepare for the season of Lent and the celebration of Easter. All services will begin at 5:15 pm in the Cathedral Chapel.

A Lenten Vespers Service is an opportunity to pray with the entire church this ancient and yet current prayer of the Catholic Church. Vespers are said every day by priests, religious and laity all over the world as part of the Divine Office. This recitation of prayers and psalms from the Bible has a spiritual rhythm you will find very satisfying. All are welcome.

March 10
March 17
March 24
March 31
April 7

There will be no vespers on Palm Sunday.

Individual confessions at St. Mary Cathedral:
Every Saturday 2:00 - 3:30 P.M.
Most Thursdays from 11:30 am until all are heard when there is a priest available.
During Lent 2019 individual confessions will also be held from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The choir rehearses during this time period so there will be other activity in the Cathedral.

Regional Penance Services (with individual confessions):
On Sunday, April x, there will be two Regional Penance Services offered with individual individual confessions. Both will start at 2:00 pm.

The services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing and St. Gerard on the west side of Lansing.

Individual confessions at nearby parishes:
St. Gerard (west side of Lansing) -
Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM (also by appointment)

St. Michael (in Grand Ledge) -
Saturday after 4:30 pm Mass

St. Jude (in DeWitt) -
Thursdays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (during Lent only)
Saturday 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Stations of the Cross will be prayed Friday's during Lent at 11:30 am prior to the 12:05 pm Mass. Come and join us for this prayer. Take the time, if you can, to be here and walk the Via Dolorosa with Jesus. On Good Friday, Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 2:30 pm.

Meditate of the supreme sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation and sanctification. This is a powerful prayer that touches the heart of the believer. It makes us realize the infinite love of God for each one of us.