Lent 2026

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2025

Dear brothers and sisters,

We begin our annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope with the penitential rite of the imposition of ashes. The Church, our mother and teacher, invites us to open our hearts to God’s grace, so that we can celebrate with great joy the paschal victory of Christ the Lord over sin and death, which led Saint Paul to exclaim: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor15:54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the heart of our faith and the pledge of our hope in the Father’s great promise, already fulfilled in his beloved Son: life eternal (cf.Jn10:28; 17:3).[1]

Eucharistic Adoration - Church of the Presentation

This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community.

Sisters and brothers, thanks to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are sustained in the hope that does not disappoint (cf.Rom5:5). Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”.[8]It moves the Church to pray for “everyone to be saved” (1 Tim2:4) and to look forward to her being united with Christ, her bridegroom, in the glory of heaven. This was the prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila: “Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one” (The Exclamations of the Soul to God, 15:3).[9]

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us and accompany us on our Lenten journey.

To read the full message, click here (En).

[1] Cf. Encyclical Letter Dilexit Nos (24 October 2024), 220

[9] Ibid, 1821.

MENSAJE DEL SANTO PADRE FRANCISCO PARA LA CUARESMA 2025

Queridos hermanos y hermanas:

Con el signo penitencial de las cenizas en la cabeza, iniciamos la peregrinación anual de la santa cuaresma, en la fe y en la esperanza. La Iglesia, madre y maestra, nos invita a preparar nuestros corazones y a abrirnos a la gracia de Dios para poder celebrar con gran alegría el triunfo pascual de Cristo, el Señor, sobre el pecado y la muerte, como exclamaba san Pablo: «La muerte ha sido vencida. ¿Dónde está, muerte, tu victoria? ¿Dónde está tu aguijón?» ( 1 Co 15,54-55). Jesucristo, muerto y resucitado es, en efecto, el centro de nuestra fe y el garante de nuestra esperanza en la gran promesa del Padre: la vida eterna, que ya realizó en Él, su Hijo amado (cf. Jn 10,28; 17,3) [1].

En esta cuaresma, enriquecida por la gracia del Año jubilar, deseo ofrecerles algunas reflexiones sobre lo que significa caminar juntos en la esperanza y descubrir las llamadas a la conversión que la misericordia de Dios nos dirige a todos, de manera personal y comunitaria.

Hermanas y hermanos, gracias al amor de Dios en Jesucristo estamos protegidos por la esperanza que no defrauda (cf. Rm 5,5). La esperanza es “el ancla del alma”, segura y firme [8]. En ella la Iglesia suplica para que «todos se salven» ( 1 Tm 2,4) y espera estar un día en la gloria del cielo unida a Cristo, su esposo. Así se expresaba santa Teresa de Jesús: «Espera, espera, que no sabes cuándo vendrá el día ni la hora. Vela con cuidado, que todo se pasa con brevedad, aunque tu deseo hace lo cierto dudoso, y el tiempo breve largo» ( Exclamaciones del alma a Dios, 15, 3) [9].

Que la Virgen María, Madre de la Esperanza, interceda por nosotros y nos acompañe en el camino cuaresmal.

Para leer el mensaje completo, haga clic aquí (Sp).

[1] Cf. Carta enc. Dilexit nos (24 octubre 2024), 220.

[9] Ibíd., 1821.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Additional resources for preparing oneself for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance may be found on our Sacrament of Reconciliation page.

Se pueden encontrar recursos adicionales para prepararse para la celebración del Sacramento de la Penitencia en en nuestra página del Sacramento de la Reconciliación.

History of Ash Wednesday

From the beginning of the 2nd century, Christians began preparing for Easter with two days of fasting and penitence. Later, this practice was applied to all of Holy Week. By 325, the Council of Nicea already testifies to a 40-day preparation for Easter, after the “model” of Jesus who spent 40 days in the desert—not to mention other highly significant 40-day or 40-year periods such as the flood that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, the 40-year sojourn of the people of Israel in the desert, and the 40 days in which Moses fasted on Mount Sinai, or Elijah on Mount Horeb.

At first, Lent began six Sundays prior to Easter. But given the fact that Sundays were not fast days, beginning in the 5th century, Holy Thursday and Good Friday were separated from the Easter Triduum, and were calculated as part of the forty days of Lent. It was later decided to anticipate the beginning of Lent by four days. Thus, Ash Wednesday was designated as the beginning of Lent and the public penitence required by those who had committed serious crimes (apostasy, murder, adultery). Dressed in penitential dress, and sprinkled with ashes, these penitents would circulate throughout the cities, reminders of those who are “thrown out of paradise”. Toward the end of the 11th century, the practice of public penance began to fade out, and the practice of imposing ashes on the faithful took its place. In the 12th century, it became customary to obtain the ashes from the olive (or palm) branches used the previous year.

For more from the vatican, click here (En).
Historia del Miércoles de Ceniza

MIÉRCOLES DE CENA - Febrero 22, 2023

Desde el siglo II, los cristianos se preparaban para la Pascua con dos días de ayuno y penitencia; posteriormente, estas prácticas se extendieron a toda la Semana Santa. En el año 325, el Concilio de Nicea ya conocía la preparación de la Pascua durante 40 días, sobre el modelo de Jesús, que pasó 40 días en el desierto. Recordemos también los 40 años en el desierto del pueblo de Israel y los 40 días de ayuno de Moisés en el Sinaí y de Elías en el Horeb.

Al principio, la Cuaresma comenzaba seis domingos antes de la Pascua; pero como los domingos no se ayunaba, en el siglo V se procedió a separar el Jueves y el Viernes Santo del Triduo Pascual para contarlos como Cuaresma. Más tarde, se decidió anticipar la Cuaresma cuatro días, y así se llegó al actual Miércoles de Ceniza.

El inicio de la Cuaresma marcaba también el comienzo de la penitencia pública de los culpables de delitos graves (apostasía, asesinato, adulterio): después de la imposición de la ceniza, recorrían la ciudad vestidos con ropas penitenciales, para recordar la expulsión del Paraíso. Estos penitentes celebraban la reconciliación el Jueves Santo.

Hacia finales del año mil, la práctica de la penitencia pública disminuyó, pero se mantuvo la imposición de la ceniza a todos los fieles. En el siglo XII, surgió la costumbre de obtener las cenizas quemando los ramos de olivo bendecidos el Domingo de Ramos del año anterior.

Para leer más del vaticano, haga clic aquí (Sp).

What is Lent?

Lent 2026 starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and lasts until the beginning of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

Lent, derived from the word “springtime,” is a time of hope and spiritual renewal as we prepare to enter more fully into the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).

In Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent

Let us bow low to Jesus, admit our sinfulness before him, and count on him to “complete the good work he has begun in us…” (cf. Phil 1:6).

Need a Lent refresher? The USCCB does a good overview of Lent here.

Penance

Additional resources for preparing oneself for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance may be found on our Sacrament of Reconciliation page.

Se pueden encontrar recursos adicionales para prepararse para la celebración del Sacramento de la Penitencia en en nuestra página del Sacramento de la Reconciliación.

If you would like to make your Easter donation online, please click the above picture. Thank you for being a blessing to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church!

LENT - RESOURCES IN ENGLISH

Small Group Reflection Guide: This weekly guide features Lenten readings, reflections from Pope Leo XIV, and questions for sharing and listening. Click here for guide.

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FORMED — “The Heart of Prayer”: Hear God's voice in new ways as Bishop Cozzens walks you through the beauty and transcendence of prayer. Drawing from sacred scripture and the life of the saints, Bishop Cozzens shares guidance and reflection that will change the way you approach prayer in this holy season. This year, you can have a transformative Lent. Are you ready to begin?

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Jesus in prayer. To be transformed this Lent through this series, click here.

PRESENCE: THE MYSTERY OF THE EUCHARIST

FEARLESS

Set to release on Ash Wednesday, Fearless will help you make this Lent impactful and spiritually fruitful. This new seven-part series is brought to you in partnership with Real Life Catholic and FORMED.

Time and again, the people of God are called to be courageous and "be not afraid." Yet we live in a time where fear seems to guide our very existence. Don’t miss this exciting series with a special weekly guest as we follow Jesus into the wilderness.

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FORETOLD

Our world is full of noise. Often, that noise is loud and negative. When was the last time you heard something good on the news? Because of the constant intake of “bad news,” many people no longer believe in the Providence of God, nor trust that he has a plan for us.

Maybe this is you. Perhaps you think God doesn't have a plan for you and your family. But Jesus is the Lord of History, yours included. What was promised in the biblical story came to pass through Jesus, his apostles, and the Church. Ultimately, this biblical history is your history. Just as the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, you can trust that Jesus will care for you and your story. Encounter this profound mystery and reality for yourself in Foretold.

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DIVINE MERCY IN THE SECOND GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD

WHOLE 40: MAKING A SPIRITUAL PLAN FOR LENT

Make a plan for this holy and grace-filled season. Sit down with Dr. Ben Akers and Dr. Elizabeth Klein to discuss the purpose of the season of Lent, how to prepare for it, and why it is such a fruitful season in our life of faith.

Click the button below to sign up for Daily Lenten Reflections with Dr. Tim Gray as he opens up the Scriptures throughout this holy season.

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DAILY REFLECTIONS

ETERNAL REST: THE ART OF DYING WELL

We all have very real questions about death. What happens when we die? What does Scripture teach about death? How do we prepare for the life to come? Explore the mystery of death, dying, and everlasting life through Eternal Rest, a new offering of the Augustine Institute.

Eternal Rest examines the origin of death, the afterlife, and the powerful reality around the sacrament that ushers us into eternal life. Eternal Rest presents the Catholic Church’s teaching about death and God’s response to it with wisdom and truth, gentleness and compassion, so we can think about and prepare for death in the light of Jesus Christ, the Author of life.

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