Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving Guidelines for Lent

For Lent, the Church provides the slogan—Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season to love as Jesus loved.

The United States bishops invite us in the Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence: “In the light of grave human needs which weigh on the Christian conscience in all seasons, we urge, particularly during Lent, generosity to local, national, and world programs of sharing of all things needed to translate our duty to penance into a means of implementing the right of the poor to their part in our abundance. [Prayer] - We also recommend spiritual studies, beginning with the Scriptures as well as the traditional Lenten Devotions (sermons, Stations of the Cross, and the rosary), and all the self-denial summed up in the Christian concept of ‘mortification.' ”

Fasting - Ash Wednesday is February 26, 2020. Roman Catholics must fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. One full meal or two smaller meals not equal to a full one are allowed on those days. Additionally, they must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. Abstinence from meat applies to those 14 and over except those with chronic illness, pregnant or nursing, or with conditions for which fasting could endanger health.

Almsgiving - CRS Rice Bowl is one way Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services in order to help those who do not have enough to eat. Also check out our “Fast From, Feast On” Fridays on the parish calendar.

Compiled by Bernie Selk