Lent 2026

Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), February 18 – Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026

Overview

Lent derives from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten (Spring) and lenctentid (Springtime / March). Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and runs through the Thursday prior to Easter Sunday. Starting that Thursday evening the “forty days” of Lent are complete and the Triduum begins – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars of Lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God. The ~40 days of Lent should be filled with reflection, service, and prayer.

The Lenten journey is an opportunity for spiritual growth and presumes that the faithful will experience movement from one state to another. For some they may find themselves troubled and anxious at the beginning of Lent because of some life choice or unanswered question. The goal by the end of Lent is to experience a conversion or perhaps simply understanding and acceptance. During Lent the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment – we are not merely called to abstain from sin, but to undergo a true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ.