We invite you to come
and journey with us
through Lent to Easter

Lenten Regulations

Lenten Fast and Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
All Catholics 14 years of age and older must abstain from meat. All those who are 18 to 60 years of age are obliged to fast, which means to take only one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal one full meal. No solid foods are permitted between meals. Liquids are allowed. When health or the ability to work is seriously affected, the obligation to fast is removed.

Through fasting and praying, we allow [Christ] to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God. ~ Pope Benedict XVI

Weekdays of Lent
There is no obligation to fast, but voluntary self denial or personal penance is encouraged. Acts of charity or volunteer work to the less fortunate is appropriate during Lent, as are additional acts of devotion such as Daily Mass, recitation of the Rosary, or Stations of the Cross. Acts of personal sacrifice such as eating out in restaurants less, limiting the viewing of television, or not going to movies in a spirit of penance is also laudable.

All Fridays of Lent
No meat is permitted for those 14 years of age and older.

Fridays of the Year Outside of Lent
These remain days of penance for which some practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance may be substituted for the abstinence from meat.

Easter Duty Obligation
After receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist, the faithful are obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. In the U.S.A., this "duty" must be fulfilled during the Easter Season, from the First Sunday in Lent up to and including Trinity Sunday. In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, one must confess sacramentally any grave sin(s), and fast for one hour prior to the reception of Communion (water and medicine are excluded; the infirm are excepted).