Lenten Mass Changes

Seasons Greetings!
As you attend daily and weekend masses this Lent, you will probably notice a few differences. These changes are to help us more prayerfully observe and participate all that this season invites us to. The noticeable changes are as follows:

Kneeling during the penitential rite makes us more concretely recall our sins and our needs for God's forgiveness. Chanting the Kyrie (which is Greek for "Lord have mercy") is an ancient musical way of asking for God's pardon.

We omit the Gloria and the Alleluia because these are joyful exclamations.  Lenten liturgies are meant to be more subdued, reflective, and quiet. Things will get much louder and much more energetic once Easter comes around!

Chanting the Lord's Prayer is not only a tradition with non-Ordinary time seasons, but also an ancient and prayerful way of praying the Our Father.

We exit to a quiet instrumental song with no singing as another "fast" from community praise and joyful expressions.  This is a penitential season designed to make us more aware of our sin, our mortality, and how Christ's Easter victory is the only thing that rescues us.