This is part of The Great Fast, our program for Lent, 2024. You can find the rest of the program content here.

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‍DAILY ASPIRATION

A reflection on Lenten fasting to guide you into a deeper relationship with Christ.

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PRAYER

(To be prayed in light of the Daily Aspiration.)

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On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite this “Prayer Before a Crucifix”:

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Thy face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity; true contrition for my sins; and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me while I call to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.” Amen.

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ANTIPHON

Remember, not O Lord our or our parents' offences: neither take vengeance of our sins.

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Psalm 50 [51 in some translations] ("Miserére”)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies: blot out my iniquity. Wash me from my iniquity; and cleanse me of my sin.

For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against Thee alone have I sinned and done evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest be justified in Thy sentence and mayest overcome when judged.

For behold, I was conceived in sin, and in sin my mother conceived me; For behold, Thou hast loved truth, and the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast shown me.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed, Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, and the bones Thou hath crushed shall rejoice.

Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Cast me not from Thy presence, and take not Thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen me with Thy spirit.

I will teach the unjust Thy ways, and the wicked shall be converted to Thee. Deliver me from blood guilt, O God, the God of my salvation , and my tongue shall extol Thy justice.

Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou didst desire sacrifice, I would have indeed given it, with a burnt offering Thou art not pleased.

A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit, a contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou shalt not despise. Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good will with Sion that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings, then shall they lay calves upon Thy altar.

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Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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DAILY TABLE READING:

Listen to this when you are able. For a true monastic experience, try playing it while you are breaking your fast (during your meal of the day).

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