Lent 2023

The Latest

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

Latest news

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Parents at school board meetings were subject to FBI intimidation, witnesses say

Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Republican House members introduce the "Parents Bill of Rights" Thursday, March 23, 2023.

U.S. House passes ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ with amendments on transgender issues

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Nancy Pelosi criticizes the U.S. Catholic bishops during Georgetown panel discussion

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Catholics urged to be generous to Good Friday collection to benefit the Holy Land

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Spanish bishop criticizes Constitutional Court for upholding euthanasia law

Pope Francis reads the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica, March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis asked Catholics to renew Marian consecration every March 25. Here’s what that means

A memorial Mass for the late Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights, California, on March 1, 2023.

Housekeeper’s husband pleads not guilty to murder of Bishop David O’Connell

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Texas bishops support plan to give families tuition credits to spend on private or parochial schools

Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto) and Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) in Screen Gems’ The Pope's Exorcist.

Here’s what real exorcists are saying about Russell Crowe’s Vatican exorcist movie

Members of the Ulma family at their home and farm. On March 24, 1944, all nine members of the Ulma family were killed by the Nazis for hiding a Jewish family in their home in Poland, including a child still in the womb.

On this day in 1944 the Ulma family was martyred by the Nazis

Liturgical Calendar Show this year
Mar 24
St. Catherine of Sweden
Today's readings

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Father Esquibel (Daniel Zovatto) and Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) in Screen Gems’ The Pope's Exorcist.

Here’s what real exorcists are saying about Russell Crowe’s Vatican exorcist movie

Pope Francis reads the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica, March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis asked Catholics to renew Marian consecration every March 25. Here’s what that means

A memorial Mass for the late Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights, California, on March 1, 2023.

Housekeeper’s husband pleads not guilty to murder of Bishop David O’Connell

Members of the Ulma family at their home and farm. On March 24, 1944, all nine members of the Ulma family were killed by the Nazis for hiding a Jewish family in their home in Poland, including a child still in the womb.

On this day in 1944 the Ulma family was martyred by the Nazis

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Nancy Pelosi criticizes the U.S. Catholic bishops during Georgetown panel discussion