Fridays in Lent

Since Lent 2000, my first as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fridays in Lent have been all about the KC Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross.  In fact my home council, just formed a few months earlier at the end of 1999, KC Fish Fry with a direct tie to the evening Stations of the Cross.  Purpose intended became purpose achieved as the KC Fish Fry has grown and grown and Friday evening attendance at Stations continues to be strong!  So every Friday night for me in Lent is full of wonderful memories of the Fish Fry and praying the Stations of the Cross in beautiful St. Jane de Chantal Church.

Now over the years things have changed.  But the memories and the occasional routine is revisited!  Since ordination I gave up my duties as the money collector at the front door of the KC Hall.  Today I find myself perhaps leading the Stations of the Cross, now at my new parish down the road at MHT.  Or I may visit another church for Stations or taste the fried fish from another KC Council.  Another wonderful tradition that I love during Lent, although we pray it every Friday throughout the year, is praying Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.

Yes, Fridays in Lent are so special.  and when I reflect on this prayerfully I am always moved to thank God for the gift of the season we call Lent, the gift of a Church that He sent His Son to establish, a Church that endures, some 2,000 years now, and for gift of His abundant undeserved mercy!

There is only one more Friday in Lent before we arrive at the Triduum, and Good Friday.  Go make it memorable, make it prayerful, ask Him for His mercy!