Lent at the Cathedral

The penitential season of lenT

is a 40-day period leading up to Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday. This season of self-examination and self denial corresponds to the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptizer.

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word lencten, meaning “long spring days,” as the short, dark days of winter give way to the brighter days of spring. That is appropriate as we move from a dark, penitential season to the glory of Easter, March 31. The season lasts for six weeks because we do not count Sundays as part of Lent (they are, in effect, “little Easters”). Lent is a time that the Church sets aside to go deeper in our faith and to develop spiritual practices that draw us closer to God.

You’re invited to join us for worship, one of our many music events, participate in a small group study, or engage with our arts ministry.

Grow in Your Faith

Lent is traditionally considered a time of preparation for baptism, confirmation, and reception into the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in participating in either the Inquirers’ Class or Episcopal 101, please register below. Bishop Scharf will be with us at the Cathedral during the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30 to preside over these rites of passage.

A Faithful Lent: Potluck and Small Groups
Wednesdays, February 21, 28 and March 6, 13, and 20

Join us for Evening Prayer in St. Mary’s Chapel at 5:45 pm. Then we will gather in Harvard Hall for a meal together at 6:00 pm. The Cathedral will provide a soup entree, bring a dish to share. Following dinner, you can participate in one of our discussion groups from 6:30-7:30 pm. Please register below.

Creeds + Heresies

Did you know that the Nicene Creed was written to protect the early church from popular heresies that Church leaders believed were dangerous and likely to lead the faithful astray? Competing doctrines regarding the true nature of God, the divinity of Jesus, and the relationship of the Trinity created vociferous debate that often erupted into physical violence. Join Curate Mike Alford for an exploration of the early church’s struggles as we examine the development of the Nicene Creed and what it means for us today.

Entering the Passion of Jesus

Author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.

Led by Hillary Peete, this study and the story of Jesus' last days bring with them several challenges: What do we stand for? What do we believe in? When do we stand up for those beliefs? We can also watch the disciples and ask ourselves: When have we denied or betrayed? When a friend comes to you and says, "What is the cross that you're bearing? What is the cause that you have taken up? How much have you risked?" do you know what your answer is? That is entering into Lent. That's entering the Passion.

You can purchase the book here.

Stations of the Cross with Artist Dee Perconti

Dee Perconti is a local mixed-media collage artist. Her “14 Stations of the Cross” exhibit will be on view in the Cathedral from March 15-31. On March 16 she will conduct a daylong collage workshop in Harvard Hall, where participants can create their own stations. A community-wide reception with the artist will be held on Friday, March 22. For more information about viewing the stations and to register for the workshop, please visit spcathedral.org/dee-perconti.

Holy Week

Amid all the dramatic liturgies that draw us to corporate prayer and witness,  Holy Week also includes a moment of intense personal prayer.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to “Watch and pray..” (Mark 14:38).  In response to that invitation and to enter a serious reflection on all that happens on this night, it has been a custom to set a time for prayer and reflection during the hours when Jesus would have been at prayer before being arrested.  One feature of this time of prayer is that it is kept in the Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is being held for the Good Friday communions.

The Cathedral will offer this time for prayer and reflection, and as people respond and sign up, we will determine if the Watch will extend through the entire evening. There will be a range of devotional material as a help for you might use the time. We will also invite people to make prayer requests that those who are keeping watch can include in their prayers. Some people will use the time to read all of parts of one of the Gospels, the Farwell Discourses in John’s Gospel (chapters 13-17 are particularly appropriate.) Copies of “The Holy Hour”, from St Augustine’s Prayer Book an old tradition for this night will be available as well. 

This can be a powerful experience of prayer in the presence of Jesus that makes us aware of Jesus’ presence with us in times of sorrow or uncertainty. It allow time to take all that we have heard from the Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday liturgies as we prepare for what is to come. Prayer for the needs of others and in the Chapel with others is silent but an eloquent witness to our common life. I hope many will be able to take part, and that it reminds us all of our need to “watch and pray”.