What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation for Easter, the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday).
The 40 days recall Jesus' time of fasting and prayer in the desert before beginning his public ministry, as well as other biblical events like the 40 years Israel wandered in the desert and the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai.
During Lent, Catholics and many other Christians focus on spiritual renewal through three traditional practices:
Prayer
Drawing closer to God through daily prayer, Scripture reading, and attending Mass more frequently.
Fasting
Abstaining from food or other pleasures to practice self-discipline and solidarity with those in need.
Almsgiving
Sharing our time, talent, and treasure with those less fortunate through acts of charity and service.
"Yet even now," says the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.
— Joel 2:12-13 (RSVCE)
Fasting & Abstinence
The Church provides specific guidelines for fasting and abstinence during Lent:
Abstinence (No Meat)
- Who: All Catholics age 14 and older
- When: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent
- What: No meat (beef, pork, chicken, etc.). Fish and shellfish are permitted.
Fasting
- Who: All Catholics ages 18 to 59
- When: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
- What: One full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal. No snacking between meals.
Note: Those with health conditions, pregnant or nursing mothers, and others with legitimate reasons may be exempt. When in doubt, consult your pastor.
Lenten Resources
Looking to deepen your faith this Lent? Here are some resources to help guide your journey.
Rise Up! Lenten Devotional
A daily Lenten devotional by Frs. Meyer and Hollowell of All Saints Parish in Dearborn County. This free resource offers daily reflections to help you grow spiritually throughout the Lenten season.
Get Rise Up! →Ideas for Your Lenten Journey
- Attend daily Mass — Even once or twice a week can transform your Lent
- Pray the Stations of the Cross — Many parishes offer this devotion on Fridays
- Read Scripture daily — Try reading one Gospel from start to finish
- Go to Confession — Experience God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Give alms — Donate to your local food bank or Catholic charities
- Fast from distractions — Reduce screen time, social media, or entertainment
- Perform works of mercy — Visit the sick, help a neighbor, or volunteer
About Confession
What is Confession?
Confession, also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. In this sacrament, Catholics confess their sins to a priest, who acts in the person of Christ to offer God's forgiveness and absolution.
Catholics believe that Jesus gave his apostles the power to forgive sins when he said, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them" (John 20:23). This ministry of reconciliation has been passed down through the generations to priests today.
Why Do Catholics Go to Confession?
- To receive God's mercy — Confession is an encounter with Christ's infinite love and forgiveness
- To be reconciled with the Church — Sin damages our relationship with God and the community
- To receive grace — The sacrament strengthens us to avoid sin in the future
- To grow in self-knowledge — Regular examination of conscience helps us become better people
- To experience peace — There is profound relief in naming our sins and hearing words of absolution
How to Go to Confession
Examine Your Conscience
Before confession, prayerfully reflect on your sins since your last confession. The examination below can help.
Begin Confession
Enter the confessional and make the Sign of the Cross. Say: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [length of time] since my last confession."
Confess Your Sins
Tell your sins to the priest. Be honest and specific, but don't worry about perfect words. The priest may offer guidance or ask questions.
Receive Penance and Absolution
The priest will give you a penance (usually prayers or an action) and then pray the prayer of absolution. Make the Sign of the Cross as he says it.
Complete Your Penance
After leaving the confessional, complete your penance as soon as possible. Give thanks to God for his mercy!
First time or returning after many years? Don't worry! Simply tell the priest it's been a long time. He will help guide you through the process. Priests hear confessions regularly and are there to help, not to judge.
Examination of Conscience
An examination of conscience helps you prepare for confession by reflecting on how you have sinned against God and neighbor. Use the Ten Commandments as a guide:
1 I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
- Have I made anything more important than God (money, success, pleasure, reputation)?
- Have I neglected prayer or put off spending time with God?
- Have I dabbled in superstition, horoscopes, or the occult?
2 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Have I used God's name carelessly or as a curse word?
- Have I spoken disrespectfully about sacred things?
- Have I broken promises or vows made to God?
Printable Examination of Conscience
Download this helpful examination of conscience guide from All Saints Parish to use when preparing for confession.
Download PDF →An Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.