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Lenten traditions return
By Nissa LaPoint
It’s just around the corner. Lent, a 40-day liturgical season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter, begins Feb. 13 with Ash Wednesday. The Denver Archdiocese is bringing back a couple of Lenten traditions to help faithful in making it a fruitful spiritual season.
Sacrificium wristbands
The Sacrificium bands, meaning “sacrifice,” are available for parishes and faithful this Lent.
This year’s adult and youth wristbands are black, symbolizing the color of ashes. Each band is imprinted with the Latin word “Sacrificium” and “Year of Faith.” They are used as a concrete reminder to wearers of what they intend to sacrifice.
“It’s a visible sign of Lent,” said Tony Schoenberger, the archdiocese’s Office of Liturgy assistant. “It helps people remember the Lenten promises that they have made including fasting, prayer and almsgiving.”
Over the last two years, the archdiocese distributed 170,000 wristbands, 74,000 of which were sold last year, to local parishes and churches as far as New Zealand and the Philippines.
This year they are available for purchase for 25 cents each or 16 cents each for bulk orders. Those with wristbands are encouraged to fill out a promise card—available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese—listing their intended sacrifices. Wristbands are available at parishes or directly from the archdiocese by calling 303-715-3221 or emailing tony.schoenberger@archden.org.
The Sacrificium wristband project was started by Father Randy Dollins, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Breckenridge.
Ash Wednesday at DIA
Priests will be available for travelers and workers at Denver International Airport Feb. 13 for distribution of ashes, confession and Liturgy of the Word services.
Due to popular demand, priests will hear confessions between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Interfaith Chapel on level six, East Terminal of the airport. The Liturgy of the Word and distribution of ashes will take place at noon and 2 p.m.
The airport is at 8500 Peña Blvd. in Denver. For more information, contact the Office of Liturgy at 303-715-3221.
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