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
'I do this with my heart,' Pope says before washing inmates' feet
Pope Francis recalled for around 40 young detainees how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and said that he would willingly... Read more
Vatican did not expect Pope to visit youth prison
Vatican officials thought Pope Francis would only celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, but an invitation from a... Read more
Holy Week is time to bring Christ to forgotten, Pope teaches
Pope Francis said Holy Week is a time for moving beyond a “dull or mechanical” way of living the faith... Read more
Good Friday stations pray for Christian unity in Middle East
A Syrian Christian who fled the fighting in his country believes that the Good Friday Stations of the Cross at... Read more
American seminarians experience rewards of Lent in Rome
Two American seminarians living and studying in Rome have found that their experience of Lent this year has been both... Read more
Pope Francis delights Palm Sunday crowd
Although his remarks were few before praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis pleased the crowd of 250,000... Read more
Pope Francis urges Christians to have joy over Cross
Pope Francis declared on Palm Sunday that Christians must not be sad or discouraged but filled with joy because Jesus... Read more
Pope's retreat focuses on faces of God and man
Along with the rest of the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict XVI began his second day of spiritual exercises by reflecting... Read more
Alligator OK to eat on Lenten Fridays, archbishop clarifies
Alligator is permissible to eat on Fridays of Lent, the archbishop of New Orleans assured a conscientious parishioner, and his... Read more
Benedictine abbot sees good reasons for moving Pope's Mass
Given the number of people that inevitably swarmed to the Holy Father’s last public Mass, Benedictine Abbot Nokter Wolf understands... Read more
Pope's last Mass will be on Ash Wednesday in St. Peter's
Amid the buzz created by the Pope’s announcement that he will retire, it could be easy to miss the fact... Read more
Pope's Lent message: charity is extension of God's love
Pope Benedict XVI's message for Lent is that when people are open to God’s love, then they can “love with... Read more
CRS Rice Bowl program has new internet component
Catholic Relief Services has revamped its traditional Lenten anti-hunger Operation Rice Bowl program to allow participants to register their rice... Read more
Papal preacher’s homily themes for Lent 2012 revealed
The Preacher to the Papal Household has revealed the topics for the four homilies he will preach to Pope Benedict... Read more
Pope says ashes symbolize austerity and resurrection
Like millions of Catholics around the world, Pope Benedict XVI received ashes on Ash Wednesday. He said that they become... Read more
