saturday of the fourth week in lent

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Contributor: Ann Trapnell
Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/SatFourthWeek.html
 
The Tradition of Lenten Suppers
Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are often viewed as the 3 pillars of Lent.  You will find all of these addressed in St. Christopher’s weekly Lenten Soup Suppers – and so much more. 

A quick search online provides a nice history of soup suppers courtesy of Wikipedia. I’ve edited excerpts from this information to demonstrate how nicely our Suppers fulfill this tradition and help us observe the 3 pillars of Lent:
The origin of the Lenten supper lies in the early Church, when Christians would fast from food and water until sunset and then consume a Lenten supper once sundown occurred.  Many of us continue this practice of fasting today during Lent – either in the form of meals or specific foods – or in the form of sacrificing something else less tangible (such as worry, gossip, etc).
In a communal context, the suppers are often held on Wednesdays and those gathered often break that day’s Lenten Fast together through a community supper and attend a service of worship (here at St. Christopher’s we offer The Ways of the Cross at 7pm each Wednesday).
Given the Lenten focus on sacrifice, abstinence and plainness, Lenten suppers are simple, having foods like soup, bread, and water.

Lenten suppers are often held in the church's parish hall and a mealtime prayer is always offered before Christians partake in the Lenten supper.

A basket for alms is kept out at the soup supper in the parish hall and those who are participating in the Lenten supper may contribute to it.
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I strongly encourage you to drop in on one of St. Christopher’s weekly Lenten Soup Suppers (each Wednesday during Lent from 5:30-7pm through March 20th).  Not only does it provide an opportunity to observe the pillars of Lent in community with others from our faith family – it provides a much needed moment to gather in fellowship with others and walk in The Way of Love.