Upcoming Events
ASH WEDNESDAY - 2/14
Begin the Lenten season with prayer and fasting. Mass at 12 pm at Duke Chapel, 5:30 & 7:30 at Goodson Chapel.
UPPER ROOM LENTEN TALKS - 2/18, 2/25, 3/3
Explore topics like mercy, hope, and faithfulness with the priests. 6 pm at Page 309.
DCC MUSIC MINISTRY RECITAL - 2/27
Listen to beautiful spiritual music performed by our talented music ministry. 6 pm at Duke Chapel.
LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE - 3/20
Encounter God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Goodson Chapel at 7 pm.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS - 3/22
Commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the Cross. 6 pm in front of Duke Chapel.
PRAYER
Prayer is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer, we are able to connect with God and grow in relationship with Him.
At the DCC, there are several ways you can grow in your prayer life this Lent:
JOIN A SMALL GROUP
Connect with fellow Catholics, explore Scripture together, and lift one another up in prayer. Sign up here.
TAKE THE PRAY40 CHALLENGE
Through the DCC, you can unlock a special deal on the Hallow App for Lent. For just $1 you'll access amazing Catholic content, including the Pray40 prayer challenge. To start praying, visit https://hallow.com/holydaypackage/ and enter "Duke University Catholic Center."
ATTEND A PRAYER GATHERING
During Lent, students will be gathering at the FAH every Friday at 6:30 pm to pray the Stations of the Cross together.
We will also be praying a Campus Stations of the Cross on West Campus on Friday, March 22nd at 6pm in front of Page Auditorium.
LENTEN SACRIFICE
Many of us are familiar with "giving something up" for Lent. Even non-Catholics will give up their favorite treats or comforting habits during Lent. While giving something up for Lent isn't a requirement, the practice is good when we do it to train ourselves to resist temptation and grow more reliant on God.
However, the concept of Lenten sacrifice is bigger than just giving up chocolate or coffee. Adult Catholics are expected to participate in days of fasting and abstinence. We can also make sacrifices of our time and effort by serving others and serving the Church.
FASTING DURING LENT
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two small snacks (that together are not equal to a full meal).
Those who are excused from fasting outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.
WHAT IS ABSTINENCE?
A day of abstinence is a day on which Catholics fourteen years and older are required to abstain from eating meat.
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent are all days of abstinence.
If you feel that fasting or abstinence may be impossible for you this Lent due to mental or physical illness, please reach out to Father Juan Jose or Father Andrew about dispensing you from your obligation.
ALMSGIVING
Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, is one of the three pillars of Lenten practice. Almsgiving is giving money or goods to the poor. To facilitate this practice, the Duke Catholic Center will be having intentional giving campaigns with two charities we already partner with: Catholic Relief Services and the Durham Food Pantry.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program for faith communities who want to put their faith into action. Through CRS Rice Bowl, participants are invited to hear stories about their sisters and brothers in need around the world and devote their Lenten prayers, fasting, and alms to change the lives of those who suffer in poverty. Learn more here.
During our February 18th Masses, we will be learning more about the CRS Rice Bowl campaign, and there will be an opportunity to donate.
DURHAM FOOD PANTRY
The Durham Community Food Pantry, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, works to end food insecurity in Durham and Orange counties. The program is a collaborative effort engaging multiple partners through Durham and Orange counties to address this incredibly important need. Opening in May 2019, the DCFP has grown rapidly, distributing over 1.25 million pounds of food per year.
During our March 3rd Masses, we will be learning more about the Durham Food Pantry and have an opportunity to contribute to their work through almsgiving.
"Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart."
Joel 2:12