Movable feast · feast · purple
First Sunday of Lent
Quadragesima Sunday — Christ in the desert, the Qui habitat tract, and the opening of the Lenten fast in the Roman Rite.
What we celebrate
The First Sunday of Lent (Quadragesima) opens the desert weeks. The Gospel is Christ’s temptation; the Roman tract is Qui habitat — Psalm 90 (Vulgate; Psalm 91 modern) sung at length between Gradual and Gospel.
How to keep the day
Hear the tract if you can. Pray Psalm 90/91 slowly. Begin or renew a Lenten rule that can survive the noon hour — see The Noonday Devil.
Gift guide
Lent’s first Sunday calls for tools of combat and prayer — a Michael medal, warfare prayers, and silence enough to hear the tract.