Posted February 17, 2021

Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, April 1. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.

During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting.

We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

CatholicPhilly.com presents a host of resources in this Lent 2021 section to make your journey through this season one of deeper faith and union with Christ.

Watch for new features each week here to aid your preparation and spiritual growth throughout Lent until Holy Week and Easter Sunday, April 4. See below some helpful aids from a special page by the U.S. bishops’ conference, along with more Lenten resources (click on a heading):

Prayers and devotions:

General guidance on prayer, how to pray the rosary, how to meditate, special prayers, eucharistic devotion and guides on devotions to saints.

Sacred Scripture every day:

See the readings from the Bible for daily and Sunday Masses.

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation:

Forgiveness of sins by God through reception of this sacrament is a traditional practice not only for Lent, but any time. Brush up on the rite (in English and in Spanish), and see how to make an examination of conscience before you go.

Lent Calendar:

Each day brings an opportunity to reflect and pray, and this calendar to Lent offers aids to your daily spiritual journey (in English and in Spanish).