Putting the “Lent” in Valentine: Memento Mori
Today is Ash Wednesday. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” And with those words, our Lent has begun.
Holy Mother Church calls us to make these next forty days until Easter a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent is a pilgrimage, in a sense, through time if not space, through death to resurrection. A pilgrimage of penitence.
Let us walk together in the Lord.
In previous years, my home Archdiocese of Seattle has published “Lenten Regulations” to remind us what is expected of every Christian during Lent. For the past few years, however, they have taken several different approaches. This year, we have a web page called “Lent: Encounter“, which I heartily recommend to you. It includes daily Lenten reflections, as well as a short video from the Archbishop.
They have also produced a Lenten guide for small group reflection. The PDF may be downloaded from the Archdiocese website.
The Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines have been compiled into an easy infographic, which is super handy.
This year, Ash Wednesday coincides with both the modern Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius, as well as the ancient celebration of Saint Valentine.
Although his relics are scattered now throughout the world, Saint Valentine’s skull, crowned with flowers, rests in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome.
On this Ash Wednesday, it is perhaps appropriate to contemplate the relics of this saint, who the popular culture of centuries has made into a symbol of romantic love. For me, it is a sobering memento mori that reminds me of an ancient Roman phrase that one sometimes sees on tombstones or funerary monuments: Eram quod es; eris quod sum. “I was what you are; you will be what I am.”
A Little Chant for the Day
Today’s Introit, in both Latin and English. Enjoy!