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What is Lent?
Lent is the 40 days before Easter that the Church uses to prepare for the celebration of our Lord Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the day the faithful have their foreheads signed with ashes in the form of the cross, and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.
Lent excludes all Sundays because Christ rose on Sunday, making this day inappropriate for fasting and mourning for our sins. Fridays during Lent are a day of penance in commemoration of our Lord’s death. -
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What do Christians Do During Lent?
Christians pray and fast during Lent because it is fitting for us to imitate our Lord, who took 40 days to prepare for His ministry culminating in his death and Resurrection. As we journey through Lent with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we prepare to celebrate His ministry’s climax, Good Friday (Crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (Resurrection).
Lent is a perfect time to ask yourself what pulls you away from God and how you can return to Him and His will through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.Prayer
Christians who give themselves fully to prayer and reflection during Lent have a wonderful opportunity to discover God’s will. Each day of this Lenten season, spend time developing your spiritual intuition and taking steps to discern what God wants for you.
Prayer Ideas for Lent
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross (for children)
Prayer to Become a Saint
Surrender Novena
Fasting
By denying ourselves something we enjoy during Lent, we discipline our will so we are not slaves to our pleasures. Disciplining the will to refuse pleasures that are not sinful helps us develop a will that refuses those that are sinful. Fasting also has a penitential purpose and, in Sacred Scripture, is associated with repentance (Daniel 9). While many Christians choose to give up a specific food or drink, others fast for Lent in other ways. Pray and ask the Lord what He wills for you to give up this Lenten season. Remember that healthy Catholics, ages 18 to 59, must fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics ages 14 and older must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent.
Fasting Ideas for Lent
A Prayer for Fasting
Guide to Fasting for Lent
Lenten Meatless Recipes
Almsgiving
The foundational Christian call to charity is a frequent theme in the Gospels. During Lent, God asks us to focus more intently on almsgiving, donating goods or money to the poor or performing other charitable acts. Almsgiving, as one of the three pillars of Lent, is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).
Almsgiving Ideas for Lent
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
Catholic Charities of Ventura County
St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles
More Lenten Resources
Hallow Lent Prayers for 2025
25 Great Things You Can Do for Lent
All About Lent
Lenten Activities for Children
The Vatican's Message for Lent
Our Lady of Malibu Palm Sunday Services
Saturday (Vigil): 5 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m."Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that the purpose of life is not pleasure." - Ven. Fulton Sheen