Lent has been observed by Christians since the 4th Century. It is a time of reflection, penitence, and spiritual renewal before Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and ends at midnight on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025, the night before Easter Sunday.
How to Observe Lent
During Lent, some Christians focus on giving up something. Is it necessary for the observation of Lent to give up a delicacy or a bad habit or an hour of sleep in the Lenten period? That should be a matter between a Christian and God. Some may decide to do something extra for their spiritual hindrance to the Spirit. Some may make a special sacrifice of some sort. And some may decide to improve their communication and fellowship with God by having special times of prayer throughout the day, or vow to worship in the church at every service held.
The important thing is to make Lent a special time, a memorable time. A time so meaningful that it sets the tone for the rest of the entire year. At the very least it should be a time of sincere spiritual growth.
10 Things to Remember During Lent
Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, former chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, offers “10 Things to Remember for Lent.” 10 Things to Remember During Lent.pdf
Lent Fasting & Abstinence Guidelines
If you are looking for more information about fasting and abstinence during lent, check out our post on this topic.
Reconciliation
Lent is a great time to Rediscover the sacrament of reconciliation
During Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at OLG on Saturdays from 9 to 10 AM, and by appointment. (NOTE: No confessions are available on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025.)
Lent resources to help deepen your faith and grow closer to God
LENT 2025 | Reflect. Repent. Restore:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers many resources and prayers to help you Reflect. Repent. Restore this Lent. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent
Daily Lent Calendars:
USSCB Lent Calendars: Daily inspiration for your Lenten journey.
2025 Daily Lent Calendar English – downloadable
2025 Daily Lent Calendar Spanish – downloadable
Family Lent Calendar:
Print our Lenten family calendar and post it in a prominent place in your home to help you honor the season of Lent. With ideas for practicing the traditional pathways of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, your family can take simple steps to a meaningful Lent. Lenten Family Calendar
Lent Reflections
Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever Reflections: Every day, you will receive two short, practical, and inspiring videos in your inbox, each representing a pathway leading toward a better version of you and a closer relationship with God. Click here to sign up
How to Lent is a new series from the Augustine Institute that aims to equip Catholics with the tools to understand and practice the pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Click here to sign up
Foretold, a new series from the Augustine Institute that weaves together the Old and New Testament stories, highlighting their connecting threads of prophecy and fulfillment Click here to sign up
Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with this USCCB guide that leads you through how to conduct a brief examination of conscience. https://www.usccb.org/resources/examination-conscience
Lent Videos on Formed.org
*All who come to our church, are welcome to join Formed.org!
Sign up for your free account https://ourladyofguadalupechurch.org/join-formed-org/
Living Lent as a Family (4-part series): Have you ever wanted to live more liturgically but not known how? Formed.org offers a series to help families during Lent. We pray that these discussions bless you and your family. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/videos/formed-now-living-lent-as-a-family-part-1-of-
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession*: This video series explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step examination of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to come and experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/forgiven. (Also available in Spanish: https://watch.formed.org/perdonado)
Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained: This video series will lead you through the “big picture” of the Catholic Faith and our Creed is the guide. Symbolon brings together some of the most trusted Catholic teachers in the world to guide you through the breadth and richness of the Catholic faith. Use Symbolon in RCIA, for Catechist training, in Men’s & Women’s Groups, Bible Study Groups, and more. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/symbolon-the-catholic-faith-explained
Click here for more Lent Videos on Formed.org
Almsgiving
During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is “a witness to fraternal charity” and “a work of justice pleasing to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). usccb.org
Here are a few opportunities to consider for almsgiving through donations to Church ministries during Lent
Catholic Relief Services
Your Lenten alms help families around the world overcome hunger. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) works with organizations around the world to help poor and vulnerable people overcome emergencies, earn a living through agriculture and access affordable health care. To learn more and to make a donation online visit crs.org
Together in Mission
With the Together in Mission Campaign, your generosity blesses the local underserved parish and communities within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Help Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish reach a goal of $39,248. To learn more and to make a donation online visit togetherinmission.org
