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Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough

Lent

Lent

The Season of Lent is a 40-day journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that prepares our hearts for the joy of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. Drawing inspiration from Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, Lent is a sacred time for spiritual renewal, conversion, and deepening our relationship with God and our community.

Through traditional practices adapted for modern life, we are invited to turn away from distractions and refocus on what truly matters to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.

The Three Pillars of Lent

  • Prayer: Deepen your relationship with God through daily Scripture reflection, attending Mass, or spending quiet time in Adoration.
  • Fasting: Practice self-discipline by giving up comforts, helping to clear away distractions and create more space for God.
  • Almsgiving: Express gratitude for God’s gifts by sharing your time, talents, and resources with those in need.

Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines in Canada

In Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) establishes the local guidelines for penance during Lent, balancing traditional law with a pastoral focus on personal conversion.

  • Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: These are the two mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Canadian Catholics.
  • Fasting Rules: Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are permitted to eat only one full meal on these days. Two smaller meals are allowed if needed to maintain strength, but they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is avoided.
  • Abstinence Rules: Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
  • Fridays Throughout the Year: While traditional practice encourages abstaining from meat on all Fridays of the year, Canadian guidelines allow Catholics to substitute meat abstinence on other Fridays with another significant form of penance, charity, or piety.
  • Exceptions: These obligations do not apply to anyone for whom fasting or abstaining would endanger their health, such as the sick, pregnant or nursing mothers, or those engaged in exceptionally heavy labor.