Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB
Lent 2025
Dear Friends,
Each year somber days of lengthening (the season of Lent) turn to the glory of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the clutches of the last enemy, death. The Ash Wednesday address describes the season of Lent as the time to “prepare for this celebration and to renew our life in the paschal mystery.” Each year we are invited to join once again by rejoicing in the victory signed by our baptism. Our baptism symbolizes a death to an old way of life and a resurrection to a new risen life in Christ. When we proclaim—“Christ is risen indeed!” we celebrate because we have a personal stake in the claim. We share the risen eternal life with our Lord.
Without faith in the Resurrection there would be no Church. Without the new reality of eternal life there would be no need to be Christian. It’s the promise of life that makes the Christian faith unique and powerful. Our faith is a faith to live by but, with the promises of resurrection it is also even a faith by which to die.
It is certain that the celebration will have the most meaning for those who best prepare. That preparation began on Ash Wednesday and continues through the Lenten season to Good Friday. I would encourage you to take a full part in the pre-Easter worship as opportunities to make ready your own heart for the wonderful joy of new life. Every confirmed Christian is directed by the Prayer Book (p. 66) to “partake of the holy Communion frequently, and particularly on the greater Holy-days, of which Easter is the chief.” Included here is a schedule of Holy Week and Easter worship at Christ Church Cathedral. If for some reason you are unable to make your Communion because of illness or other cause, I urge you to contact me or the Cathedral Office to arrange a home visit. Communion at home is always only a request away.
St. Paul writes in the fifth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians,
... our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival ...
In the spirit of the Apostle's instruction, I pray we meet in Christian fellowship and Easter celebration. Have a blessed and holy Easter.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev’d)
Dean of Fredericton
GMH
