It might be more accurate to say that there is the “forty day fast within Lent.” Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable.
The Sundays are certainly part of the Time of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.
When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church form age 14 onwards.
Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.
In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting.
For the seaon of Lent:
The church will be open daily from Noon - 6:00 PM for personal prayer.
Mass will be celebrated every Wednesday at 12:30 PM for communal prayer.
Stations of the Cross are prayed on Friday at Noon.
Invite someone back to church for Sunday at 9:30 AM.
Parish organizations are asked to schedule a prayer service for members.
Any and all parishioners are invited to schedule a prayer service for family, friends, neighbors, “whom so ever will, let him come” with you.
St. Benedict the African (SBA) assists non-SBA ministries with $5,000 each Easter. Please give more during Lent in order to help us make this Easter gift.
The Parish Council will select 2020 recipients at the March 9th meeting.
There will be less food and no meat for hospitality after Mass.
Read posts on the bible, liturgical practices, holy days of obligation, and more.
Visit the Adult Faith Formation page for more information.
When a parishioner was randomly shot in the middle of a weekday at a gas station, it rocked the members of St. Benedict the African Parish in Englewood.
Read moreBishop Joseph Perry shares his seasonal message for Catholic Men Chicago Southland Apostolate on October 23.
Read moreEven though there is no congregation at Sunday Mass, the community at St. Benedict the African Parish in Chicago has never been so close.
Read moreSomething funky is brewing in Chicago. MOSAIC Soul, a young vocal group founded by Phillip Armstrong and Greg Woods in 2018, will soon hit the airwaves and it is not to be missed.
Read moreAngela Jackson, Illinois’ new poet laureate, wrote her first poem when she was in third grade at St. Anne School, located at Garfield Boulevard and Wentworth Avenue.
Read more
This 2020 Holy Week, we were fortunate to celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday as a community online using the Zoom meeting platform.
Read more
As we approach the feast of the Resurrection on Sunday, April 12, we may well feel like we are entombed by precautionary measures that have altered the rhythm of life these days given the threat associated with coronavirus.
Read more
Today we celebrated the first communion of Chimamanda, Henry, and Olivia, and I want to highlight the following.
Read more
It might be more accurate to say that there is the “forty day fast within Lent.” Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable.
Read more
In 1949, famed Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes celebrated Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month) with members of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and their students at the all black and Catholic St. Alphonsus School in Wilson, North Carolina.
Read more
It is a new year, a time to look back and reflect, to look ahead and rethink some things and make decisions. Today in this beginning of the new year I want to speak of a charge to us, the people of God of St. Benedict the African parish.
Read more
Today is the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Father David Jones. He was born on November 17, 1962 and ordained on December 15, 1989. His loving parents and supportive family helped to place him on a path toward God. This intention must have already been in his soul because it was apparent in him at a very early age.
Read more
As part of the Saint Benedict the African family, Father Jonathan Hill's work with an orphanage in Kilwa Masoko, Tanzania has been supported with $3,000 from the parish.
Read more
Tolton ambassadors from across the country celebrated Mass today with the Saint Benedict the African community.
Read more
The Saint Benedict the African family congratulates Father Jonathan Hill as he celebrated Mass today for the first time as a priest at our church.
Read more
Jeremiah and Kemi celebrated their First Communion on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Read more
Following Palm Sunday, Saint Benedict the African started its Holy Week celebrations on Wednesday with the Tenebrae Service.
Read more
SBA’s own Phillip Armstrong, as part of MOSAIC group, performed the St. Benedict the African original mass music.
Read more
On the celebration of the feast day of Saint Benedict the African Bishop Perry dedicated the Ann and Arthur Eiland Art Gallery and Collection.
Read more-Mrs. Rowell, Parishioner
See how you can help care for our parish home
Get In Touch!
SAINT BENEDICT THE AFRICAN PARISH
340 W 66th Street
Chicago, IL 60621
773-873-4464
SBApanullrishnull@aolnull.com