Congregation of the Great Spirit

Lenten Season

Lent starts on 

Ash Wednesday, February 18,2026 and ends on Thursday, April 2, 2026

with evening Mass on Holy Thursday...

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 Lent is a Christian annual period that starts on Ash Wednesday and lasting for 40 days, (not Including Sundays), representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry..

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 Lenten Recommendations

The following are recommendations for observing the Lenten season.

 · Catholics 14 years of age or older are bound to abstain from meat, (and items made with meat), on

Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent.

 · Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, are to fast on

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  On those days they may eat only one full meal.

Smaller quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no other food should be consumed

at other times during those days.

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  The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration

of one’s 59th birthday...

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 Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves

from these prescribed minimal penitential practices...