Happy Lent :)

[CyrilSebastian]

Which Catholic church or Catholic cathedral was the first to have stained glass windows that depicted the Stations of the Cross?

[CyrilSebastian]

A good Lenten practice is to do something extra in prayer and giving money or goods to the needy.     
Also doing extra acts of charity could be done.   
 
 

[eschator83]

I've had a great time looking for the answer to your stained-glass question, but it's eluding me.  [mod edit: no website links please]  I did learn that stain glass was used quite a bit in the fourth century (soon after legalization of Christianity) but then iconoclasts bitterly and violently protested.
Thanks also for your reminder of charity as well as penance.

[CyrilSebastian]

During a Good Friday Catholic church service the statement is read: Jesus expires on the cross.     
The congregation kneels in silence for a few minutes.   
Is this gesture only done within the Catholic Church?

[CyrilSebastian]

The ashes from Ash Wednesday normally are made from blessed palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday.   
The ashes are sprinkled with Holy Water and incensed before distribution.

[CyrilSebastian]

Who is Simon of Cyrene?   
Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in three of the four Gospels as the man impelled by the   
Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross out of Jerusalem.     
Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

[CyrilSebastian]

The Gospel of Matthew only records the name of Simon of Cyrene and his place of origin.  (Matthew 27: 32)

 

The Gospel of Luke says that Simon was "on his way in from the country." (Luke 23:26)

   
 

The Gospel of Mark says that Simon was "the father of Alexander and Rufus."  (Mark 15:21)

[CyrilSebastian]

Why is Holy Thursday referred to as Covenant Thursday?

[CyrilSebastian]

A Holy Thursday tradition: Pilgrimage to seven churches     
The origin of the Seven Churches Visitation is typically credited to St. Philip Neri and is practiced by   
Catholics around the world, including in Poland, Mexico, Italy, and the Philippines.

[CyrilSebastian]

A Holy Thursday tradition: Pilgrimage to seven churches     
The origin of the Seven Churches Visitation is typically credited to St. Philip Neri and is practiced by   
Catholics around the world, including in Poland, Mexico, Italy, and the Philippines.

         

The different churches correspond to each of the seven places, or "stations" that were made   
by Jesus between the Last Supper in the Upper Room to his crucifixion on the cross.   
The seven stations consist of     
 Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane     
Jesus bound and taken before Annas   
Jesus taken before the High Priest Caiaphas       
Jesus taken before Pilate   
Jesus taken before King Herod     
Jesus taken before Pilate again       
Jesus given the crown of thorns and led to his crucifixion

[CyrilSebastian]

Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey.The townspeople threw palms or small branches     
in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.

[CyrilSebastian]

Are church bells rung on Good Friday?

[CyrilSebastian]

There are some church services that conclude with a bell tolling 33 times in succession to represent each year of Jesus's life.

[CyrilSebastian]

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.

[CyrilSebastian]

The Gospel of Luke Chapter 23 Verse 6-12   
The appearance of Jesus before King Herod is found only in the Gospel of Luke.

[CyrilSebastian]

At the conclusion of the Mass on Holy Thursday, the faithful are invited to continue     
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night, just as the disciples were invited   
to stay up with Jesus during his agony in the garden before his betrayal by Judas.