The penitential season of Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons over 14 years of age are gravely obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. All persons over 18 years of age and up to the beginning of their 60th year are gravely obliged to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.
All the faithful are encouraged at attend Mass and to receive the Most Holy Eucharist daily, to use frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to attend parish Lenten devotions and Lenten educational programs.
Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday at the 10am Mass at St. Joseph Church, also, at the 6:30am, 1pm and 7pm Mass at Presentation BVM Church.
We will pray the Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph Church on Sundays at 9:30am and Wednesdays at the conclusion of the 10am Mass. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at Presentation BVM Church on Fridays at 1pm (not March 6).
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the Presentation BVM Adoration Chapel on Monday afternoons from 2pm until 5pm.
Bishop Barron’s video series, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, will be shown after the 10am Sunday Mass in the St. Joseph Parish Community Room.
All are encouraged to participate in the annual CRS Rice Bowl, which has aided countless hungry persons here in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
You can sign up for FREE daily and weekly Lenten reflections at the following sites:
FORMED Daily Lenten Reflections
Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church 