Lent: a clean heart and a renewed Spirit

Sacred Music Series, No. 11

By James Kennerley, Music Minister

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51, verse 10

Lent is a solemn and reflective season in the Church, marked by penitence, fasting, prayer, renewal, and preparation for the celebration of Easter. It spans forty days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Saturday, mirroring Christ’s forty days of fasting in the wilderness (note that Sundays and Feast Days are not included in these 40 days – these Sundays are IN Lent, but not OF Lent). These days, in turn, prepare for the Great Fifty Days that lead us to Pentecost. As Christians, this liturgical rhythm allows us to enter more deeply into the experience of “dying and rising with Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:8).

Lenten Liturgy

The liturgical tone of Lent in the Episcopal Church is one of simplicity and solemnity.

The Book of Common Prayer provides specific rubrics and prayers to guide worship during this season. Services often begin with the Penitential Order, emphasizing confession and absolution. The liturgical color for Lent is purple, symbolizing both penitence and the kingship of Christ.

One of the most striking changes in Lenten liturgy is the omission of the word “Alleluia.” This ancient practice reflects the Church’s restraint and somber contemplation of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. Additionally, the Gloria in Excelsis, the supreme hymn of praise to God, is omitted in favor of the Kyrie Eleison (“Lord, have mercy”).

The readings appointed for Lent focus on themes of repentance, self-examination, and Christ’s journey to the cross. These themes are reinforced in the prayers of the people, the collects, and the Eucharistic prayers. The Great Litany, one of the oldest prayers in the Anglican tradition, is often used at the beginning of services, particularly on the First Sunday in Lent. This extended intercessory prayer seeks God’s mercy and guidance, reflecting the penitential spirit of the season.

The Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice tracing Christ’s journey to Calvary, is often incorporated into Lenten observances, either within the liturgy or as a separate service. This practice allows worshipers to meditate on Christ’s Passion and deepen their Lenten devotion.

Lenten Music

Music during Lent is markedly different from other seasons of the Church year. The focus shifts from joyful praise to meditative and penitential hymns, helping to foster an atmosphere of introspection, humility, and spiritual renewal. Following the outpourings of “Alleluia” on the final Sunday of Epiphany, Lenten Sundays are marked by the muted hymn accompaniments, somber organ solos, and introspective choral music.

Hymns from The Hymnal 1982 commonly sung during Lent include “Forty Days and Forty Nights,” “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days,” and “O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded.”

These hymns emphasize themes of fasting, repentance, and Christ’s Passion. Plainsong chants and Taizé-style music, with their repetitive and meditative qualities, are also popular during this season. On the first Sunday in Lent we will sing the Litany, in procession, and the ancient Lenten Prose: “Hear us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have sinned against thee.”

Choral anthems and congregational music frequently include settings of Psalm 51 (“Create in me a clean heart, O God”) and Psalm 130 (“Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord”).

These penitential psalms resonate with the season’s themes of contrition and renewal.

As Lent progresses toward Holy Week, the music becomes even more solemn, culminating in the stark and dramatic silence of Good Friday. The contrast between Lenten restraint and the triumphant music of Easter underscores the transformative journey from penitence to resurrection.

Conclusion

Lenten liturgy and music in the Episcopal Church serve to guide the faithful through a season of self-examination, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Through solemn prayers, restrained liturgical expressions, and reflective music, worshipers are invited to journey with Christ toward the cross, preparing their hearts for the joy of Easter’s resurrection. This sacred season, marked by both solemnity and hope, ultimately deepens the believer’s faith and draws them closer to the heart of God. I look forward to sharing that journey with you all.