Lent 2026 begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, inviting Catholics around the world into a sacred season of repentance, prayer, and spiritual renewal. For forty days, the Church walks with Christ through the desert, preparing our hearts for the joy of His Resurrection at Easter.
Whether you are approaching Lent for the first time or returning with a desire to live it more deeply, this guide offers a clear and gentle path through the season—helping you understand its meaning, live its practices, and grow closer to God day by day.
When Is Lent in 2026?
In 2026, the season of Lent follows this liturgical timeline:
- Ash Wednesday: February 18, 2026
- First Sunday of Lent: February 22, 2026
- Palm Sunday (Holy Week begins): March 29, 2026
- Holy Thursday: April 2, 2026
- Good Friday: April 3, 2026
- Holy Saturday: April 4, 2026
- Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026
The Sacred Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—forms the heart of the Church’s liturgical year, leading us into the joy of Easter.
Lent lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays, echoing the forty days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before beginning His public ministry.
Why Catholics Observe Lent
Lent is not simply a time of giving things up. It is a sacred invitation to conversion of heart. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, Catholics are called to recognize their need for God’s mercy and to realign their lives with the Gospel.
This season reminds us that transformation happens slowly, through daily faithfulness. Lent prepares us not only to celebrate Easter, but to live as renewed disciples of Christ.
The Spiritual Meaning of 40 Days
The number forty appears throughout Scripture as a time of testing, purification, and preparation:
- The flood in Noah’s time lasted 40 days and 40 nights
- The Israelites wandered 40 years in the desert
- Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Law
- Elijah journeyed 40 days to Mount Horeb
- Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness before His ministry
This pattern reveals that spiritual transformation requires time, patience, and God’s grace working slowly in our hearts.
The Three Pillars of Lent
The Church invites us to live Lent through three essential spiritual practices:
1. Prayer
Prayer deepens our relationship with God and opens our hearts to His grace. During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to spend more intentional time with the Lord through Scripture, silence, and traditional devotions.
2. Fasting
Fasting teaches self-discipline and reminds us that God alone satisfies our deepest hunger. It is not about punishment, but about freedom—loosening our attachment to things that distract us from God.
3. Almsgiving
Almsgiving turns our hearts outward, helping us see Christ in others. Acts of generosity, kindness, and service are concrete expressions of love that reflect the heart of the Gospel.
Together, these three pillars guide us toward spiritual renewal.
Novena for Lent Preparation (February 9–17)
In the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, the Church invites us to prepare our hearts for Lent. This Novena for Lent Preparation is prayed in the nine days before Lent, asking the Holy Spirit for discernment, strength, and true conversion.
As Lent approaches, the Church also invites us to reflect on the way we love.
Before entering the season of sacrifice and conversion, many Catholics pause to examine their relationships, wounds of the heart, and the way they give and receive love.
You may wish to pray our Catholic Prayer to Saint Valentine to ask for grace in love — not as the world defines it, but as Christ teaches it — as a quiet preparation of the heart before Lent begins.
Ash Wednesday 2026: How to Begin Lent
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a powerful day of humility and hope. As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we are reminded of our human weakness and God’s enduring mercy.
On this day, Catholics are invited to:
- Attend Mass and receive ashes
- Observe fasting and abstinence
- Begin Lent with a spirit of repentance and trust
👉 You may wish to begin your journey with our Ash Wednesday Prayer, written especially for Lent 2026.
Fasting and Abstinence Rules for Lent 2026
The Church sets aside certain days for fasting and abstinence as an act of communal penance.
Ash Wednesday (February 18) and Good Friday (April 3):
- Fasting: One full meal and two smaller meals (ages 18–59)
- Abstinence: No meat (ages 14 and older)
All Fridays of Lent:
- Abstinence from meat (fish permitted)
Those who are ill, pregnant, nursing, or unable to fast are not bound by these rules.
Common Questions About Lenten Fasting
Many Catholics have practical questions about the fasting rules. Here are clear answers:
Yes. Liquids, including coffee, tea, juice, and water, do not break the fast.
Yes. Only meat from mammals and birds is prohibited on days of abstinence. Fish, eggs, milk products, and all vegetables are permitted.
You are exempt from fasting and abstinence requirements. Speak with your priest if you have questions about alternative penances.
No. The two smaller meals combined should not equal the amount of a normal full meal. The purpose is genuine sacrifice, not loopholes.
Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent, so technically yes—but many Catholics choose to maintain their sacrifice throughout the entire season as a sign of devotion.
What to Give Up (and Take On) for Lent 2026
Lenten sacrifices help us create space for God in our lives.
Common Lenten Sacrifices Catholics Choose
During Lent, many Catholics freely give up good and neutral things as an act of voluntary sacrifice, in order to grow in self-discipline and make more room for God.
Common examples include:
- Sweets, alcohol, or caffeine
- Social media, television, or other forms of entertainment
In addition, Lent invites us to examine our habits of speech and attitude.
Behaviors such as gossip, constant complaining, or harmful speech are not simply “Lenten sacrifices,” but areas of ongoing conversion that Christians are called to reject throughout the entire year.
Lent offers a special time to become more aware of these patterns and to renew our commitment to live with greater charity, humility, and love.
Meaningful practices to take on:
- Daily prayer or Scripture reading
- Acts of kindness or charity
- Attending daily Mass
- Praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays
👉 For more discernment, see our full guide: What to Give Up for Lent 2026
Essential Lenten Prayers
Prayer is at the heart of Lent. These devotions can help guide your journey:
- Ash Wednesday Prayer
- Stations of the Cross
- Lenten Novena
- Prayer for Lenten Sacrifice
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
Each prayer offers a way to enter more deeply into the spirit of the season.
Essential Prayers and Resources for Lent 2026
Begin and deepen your Lenten journey with these prayers:
- ⭐ Ash Wednesday Prayer 2026 – Start Lent with repentance and hope
- ⭐ What to Give Up for Lent 2026 – Ideas for meaningful sacrifices
- ⭐ Lenten Fasting Rules Explained – Clear answers to common questions
- ⭐ Stations of the Cross (Short Version) – Perfect for Fridays
- ⭐ 40 Days of Lenten Prayers – Daily prayer calendar
Bookmark this page and return throughout Lent for guidance and prayer.
Daily Lenten Devotions to Consider
In addition to prayer, the Church offers rich devotional practices for Lent:
Stations of the Cross (Fridays)
This ancient devotion walks through the fourteen moments of Christ’s Passion, from His condemnation to His burial. It is traditionally prayed on Fridays during Lent.
👉 Pray our Stations of the Cross – Short Version for a guided reflection.
Daily Scripture Reading
Consider reading the daily Mass readings or following a Lenten Scripture plan. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are particularly appropriate for this season.
The Rosary
Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays unites us with Mary’s contemplation of her Son’s suffering.
Eucharistic Adoration
Spending time in silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament deepens our awareness of Christ’s presence and sacrifice.
Holy Week 2026: Walking with Christ to the Cross
Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Church year, leading us through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
- Palm Sunday: March 29
- Holy Thursday: April 2
- Good Friday: April 3
- Holy Saturday: April 4
- Easter Sunday: April 5
During these days, Catholics are invited to accompany Christ through prayer, silence, and liturgical celebration.
Preparing Your Heart for Easter
Lent is not about perfection, but about returning to God. Each day offers a new opportunity to choose prayer over distraction, humility over pride, and love over indifference.
As Easter approaches, may this season soften your heart, strengthen your faith, and renew your hope in the mercy of God.
Begin Your Lenten Journey
Start your Lent with intention and peace. We invite you to begin with our Ash Wednesday Prayer, and to return throughout the season for prayers, reflections, and guidance as you walk toward Easter.
A Gentle Reminder: Lent Is Not About Perfection
If you stumble in your Lenten practice—missing a day of prayer, breaking your sacrifice, losing patience—do not be discouraged.
Lent is about returning to God, not achieving flawless performance. Every morning is a new beginning. God’s mercy meets us where we are.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux once wrote, “What matters is not great deeds, but great love.” Offer your small, imperfect efforts with sincerity, and trust that God sees your heart.
