LENT

 Lent is a 40-day penitential season in the Catholic Church that prepares believers to focus on Christ’s sacrifice, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Rooted in Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and temptation in the desert, Lent emphasizes prayer, self-denial, and reflection, often marked by purple vestments, Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation, and traditional practices like Friday fish fries.

Three key practices during Lent are fasting/abstinence, prayer and almsgiving, which are distinct.

Fasting involves reducing food intake—typically one full meal and two smaller snacks that do not equal a meal—and is required by Church law for Catholics aged 18–60 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Abstinence means refraining from something good or enjoyable, specifically meat, as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. Catholics aged 14 and older are required to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent, though meat by-products like eggs and dairy are permitted.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the only days that require both fasting and abstinence.

Prayer and active participation in the Church’s liturgy are essential elements of Lent. Lenten prayer should extend beyond personal holiness to include intercession for others, especially those in need. Prayer is not meant to be a list of demands, nor is it meant to draw us closer to God alone; it should transform our hearts and be reflected in concrete acts of charity. Almsgiving flows naturally from prayer, fasting, and abstinence, calling us to reach out to the poor, the lonely, and the vulnerable. This commitment to charity is not limited to Lent but is a responsibility Christians are called to live throughout the entire year.

While these practices are mandated, Catholics are also encouraged to take on additional voluntary sacrifices during Lent as a personal spiritual discipline.