Lent: 2026 Hope and Renewal
Lent 2026 starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and lasts until the beginning of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.
Lent, derived from the word “springtime,” is a time of hope and spiritual renewal as we prepare to enter more fully into the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
Small Group Reflection Guide for Lent 2026
The Archdiocese of Seattle created a new Lent 2026 five-week small group reflection guide, which includes this year's Lenten Scripture readings, reflections from Pope Leo XIV from Dilexi te, On the Love for the Poor, prayers and reflection questions. Use this for your family or faith group.
Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines
In addition to fasting from food, there are other ways to fast that can help us renew our faith in Jesus, like time on our screens and social media. The point is to use whatever we give up as an opportunity to offer it to Jesus and grow closer to him.
What's that dirt on your head? Why can't you eat pepperoni pizza on Fridays? Click here for six common questions Catholics hear during Lent and some answers to have ready.
Need a Lent refresher? The USCCB does a good overview of Lent here. Check out Bishop Schuster's "Why Ash Wednesday?" column at Northwest Catholic. Or you may want to check out this Lent 101 article.
Lent events
St. James Cathedral
804 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USAJoin Archbishop Etienne for Ash Wednesday Mass
Join Archbishop Etienne at St. James Cathedral on at 12:10 pm on Wednesday, March 5, for Ash Wednesday Mass. ...
Resources
Lent calls us to conversion through the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Below are resources and inspiration to help.
From Northwest Catholic
Looking for some inspiration or are you finding yourself losing momentum or motivation this Lent? Here is some encouragement from Northwest Catholic to help.
Advice for a holy Lent
Northwest Catholic compiled advice for a holy Lent from readers over the years to inspire you this season. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
Six tips for prayer, fasting and almsgiving in the digital age
Read these useful and relevant tips on ways you can observe Lent in the digital age. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
How to make a good confession
Lent is the perfect time to reconcile yourself with God and the church. Read this brief how to on confession. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
6 Lent-worthy movies with conversion tales
Five classic movies and one contemporary production about conversion this Lent. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
Really praying in Lent
“I wish I could pray better” or “I don’t know how to really pray.” Read about how prayer is about a relationship with the Lord. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
Do we relax our Lenten fasts on Sunday?
Some Catholics think we get a "day off" of our Lenten observances on Sunday, while others don't. The answer? Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
Holding out until the end
We start Lent with resolutions but can be easily discouraged, especially when the culture and daily life continually distract us. Advice on how to hold out until the end. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
5 great Lenten books to read
Here are five great reads to help you on your way to grow in your spiritual life this Lent. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic
Stations of the Cross
This video features images of the Stations of the Cross from parishes around the Archdiocese of Seattle. Take a couple minutes to watch and reflect on how as Catholics, we all unite to walk with Jesus through His Passion.
Add Lenten inspiration to your social feed
Follow the Archdiocese of Seattle on Facebook and Instagram by clicking the icons below or looking us up on Facebook and Instagram at @ArchdioceseofSeattle.