Your planet has once again swung around to the time of year which since ancient times Catholics have called Pre-Lent. In the traditional calendar of the Roman Rite Sunday is Septuagesima (Latin “seventieth”); we are about 70 days out from Easter. We should start thinking now about our choices for the important yearly Lenten discipline now rather than the day after Ash Wednesday, some three weeks away.
Speaking of ancient, St Gregory the Great (d 604) organised the striking Mass formularies for these Pre-Lent Sundays. From the start they set the tone for planning about Lent. The Introit chant is from Psalm 17/18 (5-7; 2-3) in which David sings of his delivery from his enemies. “The terrors of death surged round me, the cords of the nether world enmeshed me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; from His holy temple He heard my voice. I love You, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost …”
