Lent 2026
Lent 2026
Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 18) and culminating in the Easter Vigil (April 4). This time period is marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to reflect on Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness, during which He faced His own temptations and made sacrifices, ultimately drawing Him closer to God.
See below for our Lenten schedule and resources to help you on your Lenten journey.
Our Schedule
Mardi Gras Sunday – February 15
Happy Mardi Gras! Join us in the Hall after both Sunday Masses for special Mardi Gras decorations, Packzis, and coffee!
Ash Wednesday – February 18
Mass with distribution of ashes:
12:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading to Easter. This is a day observed by Christians as a solemn day of repentance and reflection on mortality, symbolized by receiving ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead. The ashes, made from last year’s Palm Sunday palms, represent “dust to dust”, reminding people of their sinful nature and need for spiritual renewal. Typically Catholics fast and abstain from meat on this day.
Friday Night Lenten Fish Fry and Bake
Fridays, 4:45 – 6:30 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus Countil 7115 will host a fish fry on all Lenten Fridays from 4:45–6:30 p.m.
You can dine-in, take-out, or drive-up to order. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted.
Please patronize this fundraiser that supports our Holland Parishes and charitable organizations helped by our Knight’s Council #7115. Each week’s fish fry proceeds will benefit a different group in the community.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 7:00 p.m.
Follow our Lord in prayer through his Passion and Death each Lenten Friday at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. A different group will lead the Stations each week. See the list of hosts below:
February 20: Women of the Word
February 27: Corpus Christi Catholic School
March 6: OCIA Candidates, Catechumens, and Sponsors
March 13: TBA
March 20: Liturgy Choir
March 27: Crafty Ladies
Sacrament of Reconciliation
During Lent, we typically offer extra Reconciliation times in addition to our regular weekly schedule. See below for upcoming additional times.
Thursday, February 26
4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 12
4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 19
The Light is ON for You
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24
12:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
4:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27
9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 31
12:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2
4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 3
9:30 a.m.
Holy Week Liturgy Schedule
Sunday, March 29
Palm Sunday
Regular weekend Mass schedule
Thursday, April 2
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 3
Good Friday – Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4
Easter Vigil Mass
9:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 5
Easter Sunday Masses
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Fasting
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting. Catholics aged 18 – 59 are required to participate.
Additionally, these days and all Lenten Fridays are obligatory days of abstaining from meat. Catholics aged 14 + are required to participate. Those who are physically or mentally ill, pregnant, nursing, or elderly are generally excused from fasting and abstinence.
On all days of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to participate in an additional form of self-denial or penance such as giving up distractions, bad habits, or earthly comforts and replacing them with prayer, service, or a deeper focus on God.
Prayer
Catholics are always called to pray, but especially as we journey throughout the Lenten season, we must rely on God to help us. Fasting and almsgiving allow us to offer a sacrifice to God and increase our dependence on Him, filling our time, mind, and soul by growing, strengthening, and renewing our relationship with God.
Just starting out on your prayer journey? Not sure how to pray or what to pray? Here are some prayer recommendations from the USCCB.
Almsgiving
Almsgiving is seen not just as charity, but as an essential expression of love for God through serving one’s neighbor. See below for ways your family can give alms this Lent.
- Donations: Contributing to CRS Rice Bowl, local food pantries, or church collections.
- Acts of Service: Volunteering time, helping a neighbor, or visiting the sick or elderly.
- Kindness: Offering patience, listening to others, or forgiving someone.