Lent & Easter 2026
Here are the Church’s Lenten guidelines for helping us grow in repentance and detachment through penance:
Fasting: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, fasting rules enjoin Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent.
Abstinence: Abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals.
Subjects: Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. For young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance. Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women, and those nursing are all exempt from fasting. Common sense should prevail and no one should jeopardize their health to fast.
Please see below for practical ways you can enter more deeply into Lent this year!
PRAY
Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel open Monday-Friday 6am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday 7am-9pm.
Exposition & Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Church: Wednesdays 6:30-8pm.
Stations of the Cross Fridays 7pm in the Church (bilingual).
Hallow App: Pray40 daily meditations for Lent.
Playlist of sacred music for Lent, on Spotify.
Simple Daily Lenten Challenges
Holy Thursday Walking Pilgrimage: April 2nd, immediately following the 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Celebrate
Ash Wednesday February 18th, Masses with Imposition of Ashes: 7am, 9am, 12pm, 6pm, 7:30pm (bilingual); no confessions.
Palm Sunday March 29th, regular schedule of Masses: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am (Procession from Clarendon Square at 10:20), 12pm Spanish (procession from Clarendon Square at 11:50), 6pm.
Holy Thursday April 2nd, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7pm (bilingual), followed by a walking pilgrimage. Parish office closed.
Good Friday April 3rd, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: 3pm (bilingual); 7pm Stations of the Cross; no confessions. Parish office closed.
Holy Saturday April 4th, Blessing of Easter Food: 9:00am (Chapel); Easter Vigil Mass: 8pm (bilingual); no confessions.
Easter Sunday April 5th, Masses: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am,12pm Spanish; no 6pm Mass.
Easter Monday April 6th, 9am Mass only; no confessions. Parish office closed.
Confessions: Mondays & Fridays, 6:30 - 7pm; Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm; Saturdays: 3:30 - 4:30pm (Exceptions noted above)
Learn
Lenten Small Groups Grow your faith through Catholic community in a 6-week men’s or women’s group.
Weekly Bible Study reflections on Sunday readings: Fridays 10-11:30am.
St. Charles Podcast listen to homilies and reflections from the priests at St. Charles.
FORMED online Catholic resources (talks, movies, books & audio).
Recommended Videos: instituteofcatholicculture.org, focusequip.org, youtube.com/ascensionpresents.
Abiding Together Podcast Lenten Book Study
Franciscan Friar Men’s Lenten Reflection
share
Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: support diocesan ministries & services.
Soup & Stations: meatless soup dinner, Fridays at 6pm, Parish Center; Stations of the Cross, 7pm, Church.
Second Collections: Central & Eastern Europe on Feb. 18th; Black and Indian Missions on Feb. 22nd; Catholic Relief Services on Mar. 15th; Holy Land Shrines on Apr. 3rd.
Parish Charities & Social Justice outreach to our neighbors in need.
Volunteer as an Usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or in another ministry.
Decorate our Church for Easter: April 4th at 9am.