Lent 2021

This year, Lent starts on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, and ends on Thursday, April 1 with evening mass on Holy Thursday. Lent is the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter. It is a period observed by Christians as preparation for Easter, involving prayer, fasting and penitence.

The Latest

Pope’s Lenten message focuses on renewal of creation

Feb 26, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The redemption of creation takes center stage in Pope Francis’ Lenten message this year, which connects man’s sinfulness to environmental... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square March 25, 2018.

Nothing can stifle the joy of the Gospel, Pope says on Palm Sunday

Mar 25, 2018

By Elise Harris

Jesus was the first target of “fake news” spread by those who wanted spin and twist his message for their... Read more

Lenten campaign invites fallen-away Catholics back to confession

Mar 22, 2018

Through an annual initiative called “The light is on for you,” dioceses throughout the U.S. have opened their doors to... Read more

Bishop Mark Davies.  CNA file photo.

UK bishop: Have we allowed youth to become bored with the Mass?

Feb 27, 2018

In a recent pastoral letter, a British bishop has encouraged Catholics to make the “awesome reality” of the Eucharist a... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Roman parish of San Gelasio I Papa Feb. 25, 2018.

Jesus always prepares us for the trials we face, Pope Francis says

Feb 25, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis said Jesus never leaves his followers alone, but always prepares them for the trials they will... Read more

Ashes.

Science – not sabotage – behind Filipino 'Rash Wednesday' mystery

Feb 16, 2018

By Perry West

After some Filipino Catholics developed mysterious rashes on Ash Wednesday, the Diocese of Caloocan investigated to determine the cause of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday at the Church of Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino on February 14, 2018.

Pope on Ash Wednesday: Lent is the perfect time to 'come home'

Feb 14, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Mass for Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis invited everyone to live the 40 days of Lent as a time to... Read more

Archbishop Charles Chaput.

Break ‘concordats with sin’ this Lent, Chaput says

Feb 13, 2018

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has encouraged Catholics to learn from history this Lent: to refuse to negotiate with evil,... Read more

Australian bishops dedicate start of Lent to abuse victims

Feb 13, 2018

The bishops of Australia have called on the faithful of the country to begin the season of Lent with four... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience Oct. 11, 2017.

This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says

Feb 6, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using... Read more

Pope Francis venerating the Cross at the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

Pope's Lenten spiritual exercises to focus on the 'Thirst of Christ'

Jan 31, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The annual Lenten retreat for the Pope and members of the Roman Curia will this year focus on the theme,... Read more

Ash Wednesday trumps Valentine's, Chicago archdiocese says

Jan 29, 2018

This year, Ash Wednesday—which begins the penitential season of Lent with a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer—falls on Feb. 14,... Read more

Bible scholar gives inside look at Vatican's Stations of the Cross

Apr 11, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis chose French biblical scholar, Anne-Marie Pelletier, to write the meditations for this year's annual Good Friday Stations of... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience May 22, 2015.

Let go of 'false lights' that lead down the wrong path, Pope says

Mar 26, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis said Lent is a key time to open ourselves to the light of Christ and let... Read more

Pope Francis goes to Confession during a penitential celebration at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

Pope Francis goes to confession

Mar 17, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the end of his annual Lenten penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis was the first to go to the... Read more

Pope Francis holds a penitential liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica, March 4, 2016.

Here's what Pope Francis is doing for Holy Week

Mar 16, 2017

By Elise Harris

With Easter only a month away, plans have already been set in the Vatican for the celebrations surrounding the big... Read more

Jubilee audience in St. Peter's Square with Pope Francis on Nov. 12, 2016.

Conversion is a journey of action, Pope says

Mar 14, 2017

Pope Francis urged Catholics in Tuesday’s homily not only to avoid evil, but to pursue good in concrete actions, likening... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Roman parish of Santa Maddalena di Canossa March 12, 2017.

The Transfiguration prepares us for the Cross, Pope says at parish visit

Mar 12, 2017

By Elise Harris

In his brief homily at a Roman parish Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the beautiful faces of Jesus during the... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday, 2015.

The Cross is more than jewelry – it's a call to love, Pope Francis says

Mar 12, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis said Lent is a time to really contemplate the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us... Read more

Pope Francis thanks Fr. Giulio Michelini at the end of his Lenten retreat in Ariccia March 10, 2017. L'Osservatore Romano.

He's back! Pope Francis returns to Rome grateful for spiritual retreat

Mar 10, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

After spending a week in Ariccia with members of the Curia for their annual Lenten spiritual exercises, Pope Francis returned... Read more