This year, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, March 2, and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, April 14. Then the Triduum begins with the Liturgy on the evening of Holy Thursday, on to Good Friday, April 15, then reaches its high point on the Easter Vigil, April 16, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday, April 17.

As we know, Lent is a 40-Day Season of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. 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 practice self-control through fasting and we serve by giving alms.

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. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.

Also, during Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics. Let’s all prepare for a faith-filled Lenten Season—and Repent!

For more information on Lent in 2022, visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website at: USCCBLentenSeason.