Lent

SEASON OF LENT
The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday in the Roman Rite, including Canada, are days of fasting* and abstinence from meat.** 

*Christian fasting obtains its full meaning when we deprive ourselves of food in order to be more open to prayer, to share more in the suffering of those who are starving and to save money to give to the poor. Fasting is a penitential discipline intended to open our hearts to God and others, a means of purification and spiritual liberation, a witness of the depth of our faith.

**The law of "abstinence from meat" binds those who are 14 and older; the law of "fasting" binds those from 18 to 59 years of age. Parents and educators are reminded of their duty to introduce children gradually to understanding and practice of penance. The actions modeled by adults will be the greatest influence in this matter.

ASH WEDNESDAY

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV FOR LENT 2026

Launch of the “Journey through Lent” 2026 video series

The CCCB is pleased to announce that the Journey through Lent video series, which includes reflections on the readings for Ash Wednesday and each Sunday in Lent including Palm Sunday, is available beginning today, Friday, 13 February 2026. It is a joint project between three CCCB offices (the Office national de liturgie, the National Liturgy Office, and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis).

This year’s spiritual reflections are delivered by the Most Reverend Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough (in English), and the Most Rev. Juan Carlos Londoño, Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec (in French).

The videos are available on the CCCB Website
In English: www.cccb.ca/lent
In French: www.cecc.ca/careme