Lent
What is the season of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church? Which holy days fall in Lent? How is Lent practiced in Roman Catholicism? Find out more about Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar.
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday is the day that Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Holy Thursday is the day that Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
What Is Laetare Sunday?
Laetare Sunday is the popular name for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. "Laetare" means "Rejoice" in Latin, and Laetare Sunday has traditionally been viewed as a day of celebration, on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened.
Laetare Sunday is the popular name for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. "Laetare" means "Rejoice" in Latin, and Laetare Sunday has traditionally been viewed as a day of celebration, on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened.
How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?
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?
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?
What Is Clean Monday?
For Western Christians, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. For Eastern Rite Catholics, however, Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent.
For Western Christians, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. For Eastern Rite Catholics, however, Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent.
When Is Mardi Gras 2008?
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.
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.
Spiritual Reading for Lent
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.
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.
Abstinence as Spiritual Discipline
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 abstinence mean? Why and when do Catholics abstain from meat? Learn more about the spiritual discipline of abstinence in the Catholic Church.
Fasting: A Powerful Spiritual Tool
What does fasting mean? Why and when do Catholics fast? Learn more about the spiritual discipline of fasting 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.
Shrove Tuesday
What is Shrove Tuesday?
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church
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.
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.
Good Friday
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 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.
Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2008
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."
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."