Lent 2023

The Latest

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Lent is over. Now what?

Apr 10, 2023

By Matt Hadro

Now that the actual Easter season has begun, how should Catholics observe it? Read more

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, 14th-century fresco in the Collegiata of San Gimignano, Italy.

Why is today called Spy Wednesday?

Apr 5, 2023

By Tina Dennelly

The name actually derives from the Gospel reading for today in which Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of... Read more

Holy Week

How to obtain a plenary indulgence during Holy Week 2023

Apr 3, 2023

By CNA Staff

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus, Mary, and all the... Read more

A priest holds palms on Palm Sunday.

These are the most popular FAQs about Palm Sunday — and their answers

Apr 1, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Here is a list of the most popular questions about Palm Sunday and their answers. Read more

Beer.

These 17th-century monks did a beer fast for Lent

Mar 18, 2023

By Matt Hadro

With the Lenten season underway, Catholics are immersing themselves in 40 days of abstaining from sweets, technology, alcohol, and other... Read more

Pope Francis heard confessions at a parish in Rome on Friday, March 17, 2023, and encouraged people to remember that God “holds out his hand and lifts us up whenever we realize that we are ‘hitting rock bottom.’”

Pope Francis hears confessions at Roman parish: God lifts us up when we hit ‘rock bottom’

Mar 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In the presence of eucharistic adoration, the pope presided over a Lenten penitential service on March 17 to open “24... Read more

St. Patrick and corned beef.

UPDATE: Where are Catholics allowed to eat corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day this Lent?

Mar 16, 2023

By CNA Staff

Which dioceses are offering a dispensation from the requirement to abstain from meat? Read more

Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver offers Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

As we forgive: a Lenten pastoral note from Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver

Feb 26, 2023

By Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila

Forgiveness is “desperately needed to renew our society,” writes Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver in a new pastoral note. Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis: The devil uses ‘three widespread and dangerous temptations’ to divide us

Feb 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope also offered advice for how to overcome temptations using the Word of God. Read more

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Catholics, are you going to confession? Watch for these changes

Feb 23, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The “essential words” of the priest’s absolution formula have not been changed, but there are “two minor modifications to the... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the Paul VI Hall for his weekly general audience on Ash Wednesday Feb. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Free yourself ‘from the dictatorship of full schedules’ 

Feb 22, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“This,” the pope said, “is the favorable time to be converted, to stop looking at ourselves and to start looking... Read more

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What’s the point of fasting, anyway?

Feb 22, 2023

By Matt Hadro

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it — fasting is a powerful and... Read more

A pre-Mardi Gras parade takes place on Feb. 11, 2023 in New Orleans.

How to pregame your Lent

Feb 18, 2023

By Mary Farrow

Sunday, Feb. 19, is the last Sunday before Shrovetide, which culminates in Shrove Tuesday — more popularly known as Mardi... Read more

The procession from St. Anselm parish to Santa Sabina preceding Mass for Ash Wednesday in Rome, March 6, 2019.

Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2023: ‘We need to listen to Jesus’

Feb 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us,” Pope... Read more

Pope Francis on retreat at the Casa Divin Maestro retreat center in Ariccia, Italy, in March 2017.

Pope Francis to do private Lenten retreat in 2023

Jan 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ appointments will be canceled during the spiritual exercises Feb. 26–March 3. Read more