Lent 2025
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Come to Jesus with your whole heart
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Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent on March 5, 2025. During the 40 days of lent, Catholics pray, fast, and give alms. By eliminating worldly distractions and spending more time in prayer, we can better hear the voice of God.
Check out the resources on this page to:- Find Lenten dates and observances.
- Register for daily Lenten texts.
- Read the Fish Fry Guide.
- Receive God's mercy in the Sacrament of Confession during The Light is On for You, April 9, 2025.
- Inspire your Lent with the new issue of Pittsburgh Catholic magazine
- Mark your calendar for parish Lenten events.
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Lenten dates and observances
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Important Lent and Holy Week datesAsh Wednesday: March 5, 2025Palm Sunday: April 13, 2025Holy Thursday: April 17, 2025Good Friday: April 18, 2025Holy Saturday: April 19, 2025Easter Sunday: April 20, 2025
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How do Catholics observe Lent?During Lent, Catholics observe days of fast and abstinence.
- The obligation of abstinence, or refraining from eating meat, begins at the age of 14.
- When fasting, healthy people (ages 18-59) limit themselves one full meal and two lighter meals.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.Individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity.
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Could your Lent use a boost?
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Take the Lenten Challenge
Are you looking for a daily Lenten inspiration to help you draw closer to Jesus through prayer and sacrifice? Register for the 2025 Lenten Challenge by texting LENT2025 to 84576 or completing the form below. You will receive a text message every day in Lent to help guide your prayer and sacrifice.
No texting? No problem! Simply complete the form with your email address and you will receive these daily messages via email. -
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Who's hungry?
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Find a fish fry near you!
Parish Lenten fish frys have something for everyone! You’ll find baked or fried fish, crab cakes, shrimp, pasta, pierogies, fish tacos, haluski, gluten-free food, and more.
Dates are for the 2025 Lenten season only, unless otherwise listed. Check parish websites for menus and other details. Before you go, check with the parish for any changes.
Read the Fish Fry Guide
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On April 9, the Light is On for You
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Receive God's mercy in Confession
Every parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will offer hours on April 9, 2025 for Catholics to come to Confession and receive God’s mercy. Check with a parish near you to confirm the hours and which church buildings will be open for The Light is On For You. Most are 6-9 p.m., but some are earlier.
Through the Sacrament of Confession, we honestly and contritely tell our sins to the priest, who stands in the place of Jesus. We resolve firmly not to commit those sins again. The words of absolution that the priest speaks free us from our sins and challenge us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for others. The priest gives us a penance, a small prayer or act of charity, to perform to show our love for God.
Before going to Confession, it's a good idea to do an Examination of Conscience, or to think of the ways that you may have offended God.
Click here for an examination of conscience
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Be strengthened in love this Lent withPittsburgh Catholic magazine
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This issue at a glance:
Meet a couple who strengthens their marriage by focusing it on Christ and by going on regular date nights with Renew the 'I do,' a foundation that supports Catholic marriages.
Bishop Zubik shares a Lenten reflection that is both humorous and heartwarming.
See highlights from the Jubilee Kick-Off Mass.
- The Fish Fry guide is here! Find one near you.
Click here for the digital issue
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Mark your calendar for parish Lenten events
