Lent

The definition of Lent.

Lent, the season of penance and prayer before Easter, changes every year. Find the dates of Lent.

When does Lent start?

The day when Lent ends is the subject of much debate. When does Lent end?

Lent, the period of prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter, is 40 days long, but there are 46 days between Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, and Easter. How can that be?

An excellent way to focus our thoughts and deepen our understanding of the meaning of Lent is to turn to the Bible. In the Office of the Readings, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church, the Church has chosen scriptural passages that are appropriate to every day of the Lenten season.

What does abstinence mean? Why and when do Catholics abstain from meat? Learn more about the spiritual discipline of abstinence in the Catholic Church.

What does fasting mean? Why and when do Catholics fast? Learn more about the spiritual discipline of fasting in the Catholic Church.

For Western Christians, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. For Eastern Rite Catholics, however, Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent.

The definition of Shrove Tuesday.

Most people know that Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the time of preparation before Easter. But how is it celebrated? And why do Catholics wear ashes on their foreheads on this day? Find out more about Ash Wednesday here.

The date of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, changes every year. Find the date of Ash Wednesday.

Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on a different date each year. What determines the date of Ash Wednesday?

The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, falls on a different date each year. How is the date of Ash Wednesday calculated?

Laetare Sunday is the popular name for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Learn more about this important milestone in our Lenten journey.

Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Laetare Sunday for this and future years.

The definition of Passiontide.

The definition of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Palm Sunday for this and future years.

Holy Thursday is the day that Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples. Learn more about the history and practice of Holy Thursday.

Holy Thursday, the first day of the Triduum, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Holy Thursday.

Is Holy Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, commemorates the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. No Mass is celebrated on this day; a special liturgy is celebrated instead.

Good Friday, the day on which Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, falls on a different date each year. Find the date of Good Friday.

Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation? Find out here!

Holy Saturday is the final day of the Triduum, the three days during which Christians commemorate Christ's Passion. When is Holy Saturday?

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Find a list of the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2011.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The following is a list of the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2012.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The following is a list of the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2013.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Find the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2014.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Find the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2015.

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday") or Shrove Tuesday, is the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

What are you giving up for Lent 2012? Share your sacrifice, and get ideas from other Catholics.

What Are You Giving Up for Lent 2011? - Lenten Sacrifices 2011

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The following is a list of the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2009.

Lent is a time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The following is a list of the dates of the Sundays and major feast days that fall in Lent 2010.

Each year, the Holy Father releases a message at the beginning of Lent, to focus the thoughts of Catholics and to guide them during the Lenten season. Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten Message for 2008 is a reflection on 2 Corinthians 8,9: "Christ made Himself poor for you."