Easter / Lent

'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead' - Luke 24:46

Holy Week

On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palm leaves before him. It also marks the beginning of Holy Week...
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Holy Thursday

HOLY THURSDAY is the most complex and profound of all religious observances. It celebrates his last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover...
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Good Friday

On Good Friday, each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Holy Week we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
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Easter Sunday

Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I (Sermo xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast (festum festorum), and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter. It is the centre of the greater part of the ecclesiastical year.
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Explore Easter, Lent & Pentecost Season

What did you give up for Lent? Tell us »

From the humorous to the bizarre, people have had interesting Lenten experiences. Tell us about what you are going to give up for this Lenten Year.
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Lent / Easter News

St. Ambrose: Hold fast to God, the one true good
Saint Ambrose, bishop - Catholic Online, 2/3/2012
Let us live in Christ, let us ascend in Christ, so that the serpent may not have the power here below to wound us in the heel. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - From the treatise on Flight from the ...Continue Reading
St. Aelred: 'Christ, Model of brotherly love'
Saint Aelred, abbot - Catholic Online, 2/2/2012
If he wishes to prevent this fire of divine love from growing cold because of injuries received, let him keep the eyes of his soul always fixed on the serene patience of his beloved Lord and Saviour. ...Continue Reading
The Happy Priest on Getting Ready for Lent
Father James Farfaglia - Catholic Online, 1/31/2012
Lent provides us an opportunity to open our personal maintenance schedule and take a close look at ourselves as we journey towards eternal life. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - Every car or ...Continue Reading
Fourteen Questions on the Paschal Triduum
Catholic Online, 1/30/2012
Each year, the Secretariat for Divine Worship receives numerous calls concerning preparations for the celebration of the Paschal Triduum. The following eighteen questions address the most commonly ...Continue Reading

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Good Friday

On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption.

The Cross

In the symbol of the Cross we can see the magnitude of the human tragedy, the ravages of original sin, and the infinite love of God. Learn More

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

The Ashes

The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. Learn More

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion.

Opening Prayer

ACT OF CONTRITION. O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart... Pray the Stations

Fasting & Abstinence

'Christ Himself said that His disciples would fast once He had departed' Lk. 5:35

Abstinence. The law of abstinence requires a Catholic 14 years of age until death to abstain from eating meat on Fridays in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and shellfish are permitted.

Fasting. The law of fasting requires a Catholic from the 18th Birthday (Canon 97) to the 59th Birthday (i.e. the beginning of the 60th year, a year which will be completed on the 60th birthday) to reduce the amount of food eaten from normal. The Church defines this as one meal a day, and two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal.
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