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
The redemption of creation takes center stage in Pope Francis’ Lenten message this year, which connects man’s sinfulness to environmental... Read more
Nothing can stifle the joy of the Gospel, Pope says on Palm Sunday
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
Through an annual initiative called “The light is on for you,” dioceses throughout the U.S. have opened their doors to... Read more
UK bishop: Have we allowed youth to become bored with the Mass?
In a recent pastoral letter, a British bishop has encouraged Catholics to make the “awesome reality” of the Eucharist a... Read more
Jesus always prepares us for the trials we face, Pope Francis says
On Sunday Pope Francis said Jesus never leaves his followers alone, but always prepares them for the trials they will... Read more
Science – not sabotage – behind Filipino 'Rash Wednesday' mystery
After some Filipino Catholics developed mysterious rashes on Ash Wednesday, the Diocese of Caloocan investigated to determine the cause of... Read more
Pope on Ash Wednesday: Lent is the perfect time to 'come home'
At Mass for Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis invited everyone to live the 40 days of Lent as a time to... Read more
Break ‘concordats with sin’ this Lent, Chaput says
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
The bishops of Australia have called on the faithful of the country to begin the season of Lent with four... Read more
This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says
In his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using... Read more
Pope's Lenten spiritual exercises to focus on the 'Thirst of Christ'
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
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
Pope Francis chose French biblical scholar, Anne-Marie Pelletier, to write the meditations for this year's annual Good Friday Stations of... Read more
Let go of 'false lights' that lead down the wrong path, Pope says
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
At the end of his annual Lenten penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis was the first to go to the... Read more
Here's what Pope Francis is doing for Holy Week
With Easter only a month away, plans have already been set in the Vatican for the celebrations surrounding the big... Read more
Conversion is a journey of action, Pope says
Pope Francis urged Catholics in Tuesday’s homily not only to avoid evil, but to pursue good in concrete actions, likening... Read more
The Transfiguration prepares us for the Cross, Pope says at parish visit
In his brief homily at a Roman parish Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the beautiful faces of Jesus during the... Read more
The Cross is more than jewelry – it's a call to love, Pope Francis says
On Sunday Pope Francis said Lent is a time to really contemplate the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us... Read more
He's back! Pope Francis returns to Rome grateful for spiritual retreat
After spending a week in Ariccia with members of the Curia for their annual Lenten spiritual exercises, Pope Francis returned... Read more
