Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent on February 14, 2024. During the 40 days of lent, Catholics pray, fast, and give alms. By eliminating worldly distractions and spending more time in prayer, we can better hear the voice of God.
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February 14, 2024: Ash Wednesday
March 28, 2024: Holy Thursday
March 29, 2024: Good Friday
March 30, 2024: Holy Saturday
March 31, 2024: Easter Sunday
The Catholic observance of Lent includes days of fast and abstinence. On these days, people age 14 and older are obliged to abstain from eating meat, while healthy people ages 18-59 are to fast by limiting themselves one full meal and two lighter meals.
Days of fast and abstinence:
Those with a medical condition that makes fasting inadvisable are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity.
Are you looking for a daily Lenten inspiration to help you draw closer to Jesus through prayer and sacrifice? Register for the 2024 Lenten Challenge by texting LENT2024 to 84576 or completing the form below. You will receive a text message every day in Lent to help guide your prayer and sacrifice.
No texting? No problem! Simply complete the form with your email address and you will receive these daily messages via email.
Last year, 7,500 people participated, and many shared their experiences:
• “Your texts have been such a blessing to me this Lent! You offered practical ideas on how to grow spiritually!
• “It drew me closer to my Lord’s sufferings and made me think that any sufferings I might experience could never be as bad as the torture He went through, all for the love of me.”
Parish Lenten fish frys have something for everyone! You’ll find baked or fried fish, crab cakes, shrimp, pasta, pierogies, fish tacos, haluski, gluten-free food, and more.
Dates are for the 2024 Lenten season only, unless otherwise listed. Check parish websites for menus and other details. Before you go, check with the parish for any changes.
Every parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will offer hours on March6,2024 for Catholics to come to Confession and receive God’s mercy. Call the parish you wish to attend or check its website to confirm the hours and which church buildings will be open for The Light is On For You. Most are 6-9 p.m., but some are earlier.
Through the Sacrament of Confession, we honestly and contritely tell our sins to the priest, who stands in the place of Jesus. We resolve firmly not to commit those sins again. The words of absolution that the priest speaks free us from our sins and challenge us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for others. The priest gives us a penance, a small prayer or act of charity, to perform to show our love for God.
Before going to Confession, it's a good idea to do an Examination of Conscience, or to think of the ways that you may have offended God.
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