Last week we celebrated Ash Wednesday. The school community gathered late morning in the Abbey Church for Mass to begin the holy and joyful season of Lent. Many visitors and members of the local parish were present, and Abbot Nicholas joined our priest chaplain Fr Michael who celebrated the Mass.
During the Mass, ashes were blessed and everybody received them in the form of a cross on their foreheads. Meanwhile, the haunting sounds of Allegri’s setting of Psalm 50 were sung by the Mixed Chamber Choir. A quartet of voices singing from a gallery chapel provided a sublime contrast to the simple chant of other voices gathered in St Oliver’s chapel.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian Calendar. The word Lent means lengthening; the daylight lasts longer as Easter approaches. St Benedict speaks about joy only once in his rule – when talking about Lent. His followers are called to live Lent with joy all year around. Through prayer, work and the Lenten disciplines of fasting and giving to charity, we become attached to the things of God and detached from the luxuries of this world.
At Downside School there are many opportunities for prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent this year. Weekday Masses, devotions and adoration take place in the Old Chapel. Each house has their own reconciliation evening, and numerous Lectio Divina groups reflect on the gospel for each of the Sundays of Lent.