2019 Guidelines for Lent

“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” ~ Pope Francis

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year until the beginning of their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have completed their 14th year of age. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare to share more fully and celebrate more readily his Resurrection. Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year. As always, anyone for whom fasting or abstinence would pose a health risk is excused.

Lent is also a time to “rediscover” the Sacrament of Penance. Parishes offer the faithful various opportunities to celebrate this Sacrament, including individual Confession as well as Communal Penance Services. All priests are urged to ensure that every Catholic has the opportunity to celebrate this sacrament during Lent.

This Guideline contains resources for the season of Lent as well as some helpful information about the Chrism Mass, environment, and various Sacraments and Rites during this holy season.

Click Here to read the Guidelines for Lent