Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. It is an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter. The Lenten Regulations are listed below.

Spiritual Journey

Here are some ways to live out spiritual journey of Lent at St. Benedict.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available every Saturday, from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.

A Reconciliation Service will be held at St. Benedict’s on Sunday, April 13, 2025 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Reconciliation Services will also be available at parishes throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area (times are listed in the bulletin).

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 7:00 p.m. If 7:00 p.m. on Friday is not a convenient time for you and your family to pray, the Stations of the Cross booklets will be available at the main entrance of the church for you to pray them at another time during the week. 

Lenten Regulations

Abstinence

Catholics 14 years of age or older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Fasting

Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 (inclusive) are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. There is a limit of one full meal and no food between meals on those days. Two smaller meals are permitted as needed to maintain one’s strength.

Holy Communion

Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion are obliged to make a worthy reception of Holy Communion at least once a year during the Lenten or Easter seasons. In the United States, this reception of Holy Communion may take place from the first Sunday in Lent (March 9) through Trinity Sunday (June 15).

Repentance

Catholics should seek the purification of their minds so that they may more fully live out their calling as adopted sons and daughters of God. The penitential character of the season of Lent should not be neglected so that the faithful may come to detest their own sins, recognize the social consequences of sin, and pray for sinners. The inward movement of repentance should take outward form, especially through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, intensified prayer, fasting, devotional practices, and works of mercy on behalf of our brothers and sisters.

May we experience conversion of heart and be strengthened in our faith in God’s mercy through our Lenten penitential practices. May it lead us to full participation in the eternal Easter.

For additional resources, visit the “Lent” page of the Diocese of Fargo website.