Starting Lent

I began Lent today at the FSSP parish in the area, a quick low Mass with a delightful sermon abjuring the Latin Church's lax fasting policy and encouraging us to do more. The people of the first millennium "did not want to go to purgatory" said the sermonist, which brings up a point.

For Lent, as during Advent, I will be praying Vespers and Lauds of the Dead on Mondays. Readers can list the names of the deceased for whom they would like me to pray (otherwise, readers must want their relatives and friends to remain in purgatory!). I may also have a Mass celebrated for readers' intentions. Also, I have posted a classic Lenten prayer attributed to St. Ephrem of Syria and used during the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy in the Byzantine rite. Pray it! Daily!