I received this notification from a member of the SAJM, and was edified:
“In 2017, Monsignor Faure ordered the SAJM to abandon the Novus Ordo Lent forever and observe the Traditional Lent (can. 1250-1254 CIC 1917):
FAST: every day from Ash Wednesday, except Sundays. Fasting is not suspended on the precept feasts. This year there are two important feasts in Lent: Saint Joseph and the Annunciation. It is possible that someone doubts about fasting on those days. Fasting must be done on these feasts.
ABSTINENCE: every Friday and Saturday.”*
It is very encouraging not to hear about how weak we modern men are today, and how therefore we cannot POSSIBLY observe the traditional Lenten rigors of our forefathers. And it is even more edifying to see the clergy leading by example.
This rule is only for the members of the SAJM (and SAJM Oblates), but obviously the faithful would benefit tremendously (and please our Lord) by maintaining a traditional Lent.
Americans are typically weak and excusatory when it comes to penance, and we were the laughing stock of the pre-conciliar world for having received a commutation from full to partial abstinence (while still fasting every day) during Lent, while the rest of the world retained the full rigor of complete abstinence from meat every day. Consequently, I expect to hear many excuses about how Jansenistic the SAJM is for retaining disciplinary norms traditionally and successfully observed by little old grandmothers, farmers and laborers who completed demanding physical work despite complete fast and abstinence, and children.
It goes without saying that there have always been those who had exceptional circuмstances which justified dispensations, then as today.
But let those traditional Catholics give to our Lord the most they can give to our Lord, who gave everything for us.
I recall St. Alphonsus reflecting in “Preparation for Death” how in our final hours we would give anything and everything to be able to do one more penance before going to judgment.