Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday [February 18, 2026] and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ. (USCCB.org)

FAST AND ABSTINENCE

1. All Catholics 14 years and older are to abstain from all meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent, unless a particular Friday is a solemnity.
2. All Catholics who are between the ages of 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (Canon #1252)
3. Fasting permits one full meal and two lesser meals, which combined are not greater than the full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted.
4. A spirit of fasting is recommended during all of Lent in anticipation of the great feast of Easter. In this way, Christians express their hunger for God, their responsibility to the poor and their recognition of the kingdom of God as the answer to all human hungers.
5. “Pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.” (Canon #1252)

PRIVILEGES – PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Airport workers, travelers and others while on board ships or airplanes are dispensed from the laws of fasting and abstinence for the duration of their journey (except Good Friday). However, it is desirable that those so dispensed should perform some pious work in compensation.

EASTER DUTY

Every Catholic is to receive Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026, and Pentecost, May 24, 2026, unless a just cause would warrant some other time of year. (Canon #920) After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year. (Canon 989) This precept ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness. (CCC 2042)

MARRIAGES

Those marrying during Lent are to abstain from “excessive festivity” and are

to take into account the special character of the liturgical season. The only days a marriage cannot be celebrated are Good Friday (The Passion of the Lord) and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), because of the spiritual significance of these days.