Lent. Holy. Water. Again. Sheesh.

It's Lent and the time for the inevitable parish "innovator" to decide to empty the church's holy water fonts. Some of them get even more creative...they fill them with sand, for gosh's sakes.

I thought I'd avoid it this year, but no, some nice person asked me why his parish church was suddenly devoid of holy water as of Ash Wednesday.

Here's the thing: put the water back. Period.

I don't know where this "custom" started, but from what I've heard, it has to do with "creating a desert atmosphere."

Bunk.

We fast, yes, during Lent, from material things. We do NOT deprive ourselves — nor should our "leaders" deprive us — of spiritual things. What...should we "fast" from praying the Rosary? From wearing a crucifix? From the Blessed Sacrament? From Reconciliation? Ridiculous.

Holy water fonts should not be emptied during Lent. They should be emptied at the beginning of the Triduum — the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and refilled at the Easter Vigil.

Here.