How to Practice Lent

Journey Through Lent

Lent is a sacred season—a time to pause, reflect and draw closer to God.

Over these 40 days, we are invited to grow through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Along the way, we learn to live our faith with greater intention and care for our global family. 

What is Lent in the Catholic Church?

Lent is a liturgical season of preparation leading to Easter. It is a time of sacrifice, repentance and spiritual reflection as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection.

When does Lent begin and end?

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 10, 2027, and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, March 25, 2027.

How to Practice Lent

Lent invites us to deepen our relationship with God and neighbor through personal and spiritual growth—looking inward with repentance and outward with compassion for our global family. During this season, the Church especially encourages us to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At the heart of Lent are three spiritual pillars:

• Prayer opens our hearts to God and neighbor.
• Fasting and abstaining from meat helps us make room for others. Catholics ages 18 to 59 fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics 14 years and older abstain from meat on every Friday of Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Preparing meatless meals—like the ones CRS shares from countries around the world—is a great Lenten activity that offers an experience of global solidarity and an opportunity to live more simply.
• Almsgiving invites us to respond with love. As part of our prayer and fasting, we make sacrifices by giving up something for Lent or choosing simple, meatless meals. We can then donate the money we save to support our sisters and brothers most in need.

Give Alms

How CRS Rice Bowl can help you observe Lent

One simple way to begin your Lenten journey is with CRS Rice Bowl.

Kasmauski, Karen for CRS

The Hernandez family is a middle class Latino family in Santa Ana , California. Elizabeth, the mother, has made an effort to involve the family in CRS's Rice Bowl. She is also active as a volunteer in various Catholic outreach groups. This story is about how they have involved their church and schools in Rice Bowl and how their faith contributes to this mission. On Sundays, the Hernandezes hold a prayer service at their home instead of going to church, the children prepare for it as if they were going to Mass. During the prayer session, Gus talks to the children about why Rice Bowl is important.

Families across the United States use a small Rice Bowl and Lenten calendar to create a simple Lenten space at home. You might personalize that space with meaningful items, such as a rosary or Bible, to encourage reflection and prayer. Here are a few simple ways to begin:

1. Place your Rice Bowl and calendar in a place where you and your family gather, such as the dinner table.
2. Decide what you will give up for Lent.
3. Write your Lenten sacrifice on your Rice Bowl as a reminder throughout the season.
4. Add your Lenten alms to your Rice Bowl during Lent as a simple act of solidarity with our global family.

Each Rice Bowl also includes a calendar to guide your Lenten journey, with simple daily invitations to pray, reflect on the needs of others and take one small step. As Lent unfolds, these daily practices help form a new rhythm—one rooted in faith, compassion and connection to our sisters and brothers. These daily invitations can also be lived through devotions like the Stations of the Cross and other reflections throughout Lent.

These simple practices can lead you deeper—through prayer, reflection and acts of love.
 

Sign Up to Receive Weekly Lenten Reflections

An Invitation to Reflect

As you begin your Lenten journey, consider:

• Where do you see opportunities to pray more intentionally?
• What small sacrifice might help you grow in compassion?
• How might your family practice Lent with greater intention this season?

You might choose one way to take the next step—through prayer, sacrifice or giving. These small steps can become a meaningful part of your journey.