Lent 2026

If you have practiced and participated in Lent for many years or if you are curious about Lent and Lenten practices, come and join us. We would like to be a part of your experience this Lent.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and culminates on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The season consists of forty days, Sundays are excluded, in imitation of the forty days that Christ fasted in the wilderness. Lent has traditionally been observed as a season of penitence and fasting in preparation for the celebration of Easter. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Ash Wednesday’s meaning and symbolism. At Ash Wednesday services, blessed ashes are placed in the sign of the cross on the foreheads of participants. The ashes come from palms from previous years’ Palm Sunday services that are burned to create the ash. As one receives the ashes, they are reminded, “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Holy Eucharist or Communion may or may not be celebrated during Ash Wednesday services. The theme of the service is one of repentance or returning to God by following the ways of his son Jesus Christ, calling us to focus on humility, service, and requests for forgiveness.

Throughout Lent, some people maintain a fast on Fridays, by abstaining from food or by not eating meat. Other people observe Lent by giving up a favorite food or habit. More recently churches, have encouraged people to celebrate Lent by taking on an additional practice that could bring them closer to God. Some examples could be attending a Lenten study series, collecting and donating items to those in need, practicing regular attendance at church, or focusing more on one's prayer life.

During the Maundy Thursday service, the readings focus on the Last Supper, some churches also participate in a washing of the feet, as a reminder that like Jesus we are called to serve others. At the end of the service, many churches will remove everything from the altar area. Good Friday is one of the most solemn observances of the church year. It is the day that we set aside as the day of Christ's death on the cross, Holy Eucharist or Communion is not a part of the service, as we lament the absence of Christ from the World. Holy Saturday celebrations, take place after sunset and celebrate the return of the light of Christ into our world. Holy Family and many other church do not hold an Easter Vigil service. Our celebration of the risen Christ begins Easter morning at 9:30 am.