USCCB - The Lenten Season 2009

Lent 2009:
Feb 25 (Ash Wednesday) - Apr 9 (Mass of the Lord's Supper exclusive)

Easter triduum:
April 9 (Mass of the Lord's Supper) - April 12 (evening prayer on Easter Sunday)

Easter Sunday:
April 12*

Today - November 20, 2009

READINGS: Text | Audio
REFLECTIONS: Video

Thought for the day
Mary, present on Calvary beneath the Cross, is also present with the Church and as Mother of the Church in each one of our Eucharistic Celebrations (cf. Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 57). No one better than she, therefore, can teach us to understand and live Holy Mass with faith and love, uniting ourselves with Christ’s redeeming sacrifice. When we receive Holy Communion, like Mary and united to her, we too clasp the wood that Jesus with his love transformed into an instrument of salvation, and pronounce our “Amen,” our “Yes” to Love, crucified and risen.

Pope Benedict XVI,Angelus, September 11, 2005

Watch a video about the Annunciation in art

* General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar

On Ash Wednesday, February 25th this year, Catholics begin the forty-day season called Lent which precedes the celebration of Easter, Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has reemphasized the baptismal character of Lent with the restoration of the catechumenate, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

In most Catholic parishes, groups of adults prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil through a process known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The traditional Lenten practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving are still observed, but are done so with the purpose of recalling our baptism and in solidarity with those preparing to be baptized and received into the Church.

On these Web pages, you will find a variety of suggestions and resources to facilitate your Lenten practice and your journey with Christ.

Updated Weekly - Lenten Audio Retreats

	What We Believe In this section, we invite you to discover the beauty of the Catholic faith that is articulated in our Catechism and the writings of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict VXI.
	What We Celebrate Catholics celebrate the Christian mystery through our liturgy and the seven sacraments of the Church. Learn more about the sacraments, especially the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation (Confession) during Lent.
	How We Live Christian living means following the teaching and example of Christ, the Ten Commandments, the precepts of the Catholic Church and its principles of moral life. In this section, learn more about Christian morality and the special emphasis on fasting and charity during Lent.
	How We Pray Through prayer, we raise our hearts and minds to God in thanksgiving and praise. Learn about the types of Christian prayer and the special prayers and devotions of Lent.
Graphics by CNS Graphics/Emily Thompson