Lent: Prayer, Abstinence, Fasting and Almsgiving

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and goes until the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, March 28. During the season of Lent the Church calls all Catholics to observe the teachings below:

Prayer

During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture. Dive into God's word in Scripture this Lent by attending Lenten weekday Mass and Adoration, participating in the Stations of the Cross on Fridays, celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or praying the rosary with your family.

Abstinence

Catholics over the age 14 are expected to abstain from the eating of meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays throughout the Lenten season.

Read Archbishop Wester's Statement on St. Patrick's Day Dispensation

Fasting

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics ages 18 to 59.
When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full, meatless meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals.

Almsgiving

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).

Exemptions

Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting.

For more information on fasting and abstinence, visit usccb.org.