Lent & Holy Week Schedule 2024
Ash Wednesday
Daily Mass
Adoration
Stations of the Cross
Reconciliation (Confession)
Palm Sunday
Lenten Dinners
Observing Lent/Guidelines During Lent
ABSTINENCE: A penitential practice consisting of refraining from the consumption of meat (beef, chicken, pork etc.) and is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.
FASTING: In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years. On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.
NOTE: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.
FASTING: In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years. On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.
NOTE: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday
During this season of preparation for Easter, our churches look stark and simple—no flowers at the altar, no festive banners or decorations. And our liturgies feel different, too. The organ is quiet except to accompany the singing of the assembly. The Gloria, our Sunday song of rejoicing, is not heard except on solemnities, and we will not sing the Alleluia, our joyful acclamation of praise, until the Easter Vigil. “Alleluia cannot always / Be our song while here below,” says an eleventh-century hymn. “Alleluia our transgressions / Make us for a while forego; / For the solemn time is coming / When our tears for sins must flow” (Alleluia dulce carmen, J. M. Neale, trans.).
These changes in the liturgy will catch our attention, and make us eager for the festive outpouring of joy that will return with Easter. This year, may the stripped-away liturgies of Lent remind us to strip away what is not essential in our lives to make space for the crucified and risen One, and thus to be ready to sing “Alleluia” once again when Easter returns. —Corinna Laughlin, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
Resources for Lent
Dynamic Catholic ~ Best Lent Ever
USCCB ~ Questions and Answers about Lent and Lenten Practices
Ignatian Spirituality ~ Lent Resources
During this season of preparation for Easter, our churches look stark and simple—no flowers at the altar, no festive banners or decorations. And our liturgies feel different, too. The organ is quiet except to accompany the singing of the assembly. The Gloria, our Sunday song of rejoicing, is not heard except on solemnities, and we will not sing the Alleluia, our joyful acclamation of praise, until the Easter Vigil. “Alleluia cannot always / Be our song while here below,” says an eleventh-century hymn. “Alleluia our transgressions / Make us for a while forego; / For the solemn time is coming / When our tears for sins must flow” (Alleluia dulce carmen, J. M. Neale, trans.).
These changes in the liturgy will catch our attention, and make us eager for the festive outpouring of joy that will return with Easter. This year, may the stripped-away liturgies of Lent remind us to strip away what is not essential in our lives to make space for the crucified and risen One, and thus to be ready to sing “Alleluia” once again when Easter returns. —Corinna Laughlin, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
Resources for Lent
Dynamic Catholic ~ Best Lent Ever
USCCB ~ Questions and Answers about Lent and Lenten Practices
Ignatian Spirituality ~ Lent Resources
Try Something New for Lent
Do you need a little inspirational push this Lenten season?
Here are a few websites that offer ways to help inspire your Lenten journey! Some offer inbox retreats.
Others offer daily inspirational messages, videos or scripture. Why not try one or two? Challenge yourself this Lent.
1. Lenten Challenge
Text HSLENT24 to 84576 to receive daily reflections and challenges from our Flocknote page through the Lenten season.
2. The Pray More Retreat
Free inspiring talks to help you focus your eyes on the Lord. The retreat is self-paced.
This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.
3. Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever
It’s a free email program that will guide you on an incredible 40-day journey to become the-best-version-of-yourself.
4. Formed on Demand
Daily Lenten reflections delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free as a gift from Holy Spirit Church. Now available as an App.
Scroll down from our main page, enter parish code for free registration!
5. Living Lent Daily, Loyola Press
Daily messages from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. The messages will come from the Year in Our Church.
6. The Mass Explained App
Fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Roman Catholic Mass.
7. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
Read, Reflect, Pray and Act. Everyday the USCCB website inspires you through Lent.
Here are a few websites that offer ways to help inspire your Lenten journey! Some offer inbox retreats.
Others offer daily inspirational messages, videos or scripture. Why not try one or two? Challenge yourself this Lent.
1. Lenten Challenge
Text HSLENT24 to 84576 to receive daily reflections and challenges from our Flocknote page through the Lenten season.
2. The Pray More Retreat
Free inspiring talks to help you focus your eyes on the Lord. The retreat is self-paced.
This means that you can participate wherever you are and whenever you have the time.
3. Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever
It’s a free email program that will guide you on an incredible 40-day journey to become the-best-version-of-yourself.
4. Formed on Demand
Daily Lenten reflections delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free as a gift from Holy Spirit Church. Now available as an App.
Scroll down from our main page, enter parish code for free registration!
5. Living Lent Daily, Loyola Press
Daily messages from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. The messages will come from the Year in Our Church.
6. The Mass Explained App
Fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Roman Catholic Mass.
7. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
Read, Reflect, Pray and Act. Everyday the USCCB website inspires you through Lent.