Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
What is the season of Lent?
Lent is the 40-day, penitential season of preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the Paschal Triduum. In his 2024 Lenten Message, Pope Francis reminds us Lent is a "season of grace" to draw near to the Lord, a "season of conversion, a time of freedom" from slavery to help our "wounded brother or sister."
We partake in Lent with prayer, fasting and almsgiving, which "are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying," that can allow us to focus on the needs of others.
These Lenten pillars help us see "Love of God and love of neighbor are one love. ... This is God’s dream, the promised land to which we journey once we leave our slavery behind."
Virtual Way of the Cross in Arkansas
Lent Resources 2024
Pray Unceasingly
Add eucharistic adoration, a virtual Way of the Cross, Bible study, the Prayer Book of Intentions or other traditional Catholic prayers to your time with God during Lent.
Fast for Love
While Moses (Exodus 34:28) fasted to prepare for God's revelation, Jesus took it a step further by doing the practice out of love.
Give Alms
Share what you have through CASA, One Church, special collections or CRS Rice Bowl to help those in need in Arkansas and beyond.
Lenten Guidelines
What are the rules about fasting and abstinence? Why should we perform penance? Why can't we eat meat on Fridays? Learn the answers to these questions and more.
Parish Activities
Parishes normally host stations, fish fries, soup suppers, missions, Bible studies and more, but the pandemic may require changes. Contact your parish for details.
Lenten Recipes
Sample these meatless recipes from Arkansas Catholic readers divided into main dishes, casseroles, soups and side dishes. Are you hungry yet?
Youth Resources
These activities incorporate prayer, fasting and almsgiving specific to children, teens and young adults to help them experience Lent in a deeper way.
Love Your Neighbor
Giving up chocolate is nice, but taking up service adds a whole new dimension to Lent. Explore 25 ways to help others in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Reconcile with God
"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart ..." (Joel 2:12). Reconciling with God and his Church is the function of the sacrament of reconciliation.
