From Ash Wednesday, 10 February, to Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027. Each day has the fast and abstinence rules for your country, a verse of Scripture and one simple practice.
Show the rules for:
The rules in short
Fasting means one full meal, with two smaller meals that together are less than a full meal. It binds Catholics aged 18 to 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence means no meat, and binds from age 14. The sick, pregnant or nursing women and others with a serious reason are excused. Sundays are not days of fast or abstinence.
When a solemnity falls on a Friday, as St Joseph does on 19 March 2027, there is no abstinence that day. In 2027 the Annunciation (25 March) falls in Holy Week and moves to Monday 5 April.
Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).
Now, therefore, saith the Lord. Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and mourning. Joel 2:12
Today's practice: Receive ashes if you can, and choose one prayer, one fast and one gift for the whole of Lent.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
Today's practice: Write down your Lenten resolutions and put them where you will see them each morning.
Friday 12 February
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Abstinence from meat (14 and over).Abstinence from meat (14 and over). If you do not eat meat, give up another food you usually eat.Friday is a day of penance: abstain from meat or choose another act of penance, prayer or charity.Abstinence from meat (14 and over), or a special act of charity or piety in its place.
Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Isa 58:7
Today's practice: Set aside what you save by skipping a meal today, and give it to feed someone hungry.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance. Luke 5:32
Today's practice: If you have already slipped, simply begin again today. Lent is for beginners.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. Matt 4:4
Today's practice: Read one chapter of a Gospel slowly today, and keep one line with you.
Monday 15 February
Monday of the First Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. Matt 25:40
Today's practice: Do one quiet kindness today for someone who is easy to overlook.
Tuesday 16 February
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Matt 6:12
Today's practice: Pray the Our Father slowly, and name one person you need to forgive.
Wednesday 17 February
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Ps 50:12 [Ps 51:10]
Today's practice: Pray Psalm 50, the Miserere, as your evening prayer.
Thursday 18 February
Thursday of the First Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Matt 5:24
Today's practice: Make peace with someone before the day ends: a call, a message or an apology.
Friday 19 February
Friday of the First Week of Lent
Abstinence from meat (14 and over).Abstinence from meat (14 and over). If you do not eat meat, give up another food you usually eat.Friday is a day of penance: abstain from meat or choose another act of penance, prayer or charity.Abstinence from meat (14 and over), or a special act of charity or piety in its place.
But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: Matt 5:44
Today's practice: Pray by name for someone who has hurt you.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. Matt 17:5
Today's practice: Spend five minutes in silence today, simply listening to God.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36
Today's practice: Go to Mass, and offer it for someone who is far from God.
Monday 22 February
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matt 23:12
Today's practice: Let someone else have the last word, the better seat or the credit today.
Tuesday 23 February
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many. Matt 20:28
Today's practice: Take on one household task that usually falls to someone else.
Wednesday 24 February
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. Luke 16:25
Today's practice: Give something to the first person in need you meet today.
Thursday 25 February
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. Matt 21:42
Today's practice: Thank God for three things before you sleep.
Friday 26 February
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Abstinence from meat (14 and over).Abstinence from meat (14 and over). If you do not eat meat, give up another food you usually eat.Friday is a day of penance: abstain from meat or choose another act of penance, prayer or charity.Abstinence from meat (14 and over), or a special act of charity or piety in its place.
And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20
Today's practice: Examine your conscience tonight, and plan when you will go to Confession.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
But the water that I will give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into life everlasting. John 4:14
Today's practice: Give up one drink you enjoy today, and pray whenever you feel thirsty.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country. Luke 4:24
Today's practice: Pray for your parish priest and for the priests who baptised and taught you.
Monday 1 March
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. Matt 18:22
Today's practice: Let go of one old grudge, and ask God to bless that person.
Tuesday 2 March
Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matt 5:17
Today's practice: Read the Ten Commandments slowly and ask where you need to grow.
Wednesday 3 March
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Luke 11:23
Today's practice: Turn off one screen tonight and pray a decade of the Rosary instead.
Thursday 4 March
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
Today's practice: Make an act of love to God when you wake, at midday and before sleep.
Friday 5 March
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Abstinence from meat (14 and over).Abstinence from meat (14 and over). If you do not eat meat, give up another food you usually eat.Friday is a day of penance: abstain from meat or choose another act of penance, prayer or charity.Abstinence from meat (14 and over), or a special act of charity or piety in its place.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13
Today's practice: Pray the publican's prayer throughout the day: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
He said therefore to them: If he be a sinner, I know not. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9:25
Today's practice: Tell God, in your own words, one way he has opened your eyes.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
Jesus saith to him: Go thy way. Thy son liveth. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him and went his way. John 4:50
Today's practice: Laetare Sunday: rejoice. Share a meal with family or friends and give thanks.
Monday 8 March
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Jesus saith to him: Arise, take up thy bed and walk. John 5:8
Today's practice: Do the one task you have been putting off, and offer it to God.
Tuesday 9 March
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Amen, amen, I say unto you that he who heareth my word and believeth him that sent me hath life everlasting: and cometh not into judgment, but is passed from death to life. John 5:24
Today's practice: Read a Gospel passage aloud at home today.
Wednesday 10 March
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Search the scriptures: for you think in them to have life everlasting. And the same are they that give testimony of me. John 5:39
Today's practice: Read a Psalm before you pick up your phone in the morning.
Thursday 11 March
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am. And I am not come of myself: but he that sent me is true, whom you know not. John 7:28
Today's practice: Pray for someone who does not yet know God.
Friday 12 March
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Abstinence from meat (14 and over).Abstinence from meat (14 and over). If you do not eat meat, give up another food you usually eat.Friday is a day of penance: abstain from meat or choose another act of penance, prayer or charity.Abstinence from meat (14 and over), or a special act of charity or piety in its place.
The ministers answered: Never did man speak like this man. John 7:46
Today's practice: Keep an hour of quiet today: no news and no music.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: John 11:25
Today's practice: Pray for those who have died, especially anyone you have forgotten to pray for.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more. John 8:11
Today's practice: Go to Confession this week if you have not yet gone this Lent.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And he that sent me is with me: and he hath not left me alone. For I do always the things that please him. John 8:29
Today's practice: Begin your work today by offering it to the Father.
Tuesday 16 March
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, O king. Dan 3:17
Today's practice: Name the fear that holds you back, and hand it to God in prayer.
Wednesday 17 March
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Amen, amen, I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. John 8:51
Today's practice: Learn one short verse of Scripture by heart.
Thursday 18 March
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in the Father. John 10:38
Today's practice: Let your actions today say what you believe.
Friday 19 March
Solemnity of St Joseph
Solemnity on a Friday: no abstinence required today.Solemnity on a Friday: no abstinence required today.Solemnity on a Friday: no abstinence required today.Solemnity on a Friday: no abstinence required today.
And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. Matt 1:24
Today's practice: Solemnity of St Joseph: ask him to guard your family and your work.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Ps 50:19 [Ps 51:17]
Today's practice: Prepare your heart for Holy Week: plan when you will go to the Holy Week services.
Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.Sunday: not a day of fast or abstinence.
And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt. Matt 26:39
Today's practice: Keep your palm in a place of honour at home, and pray: Thy will be done.
Monday 22 March
Monday of Holy Week
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. John 12:3
Today's practice: Give something costly to God today: your time, a gift or a hard apology.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34
Today's practice: Do a hidden act of love that nobody will thank you for.
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. Matt 26:15
Today's practice: Ask God for the grace never to sell him for anything this world offers.
Thursday 25 March
Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord's Supper in the evening)
No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.No set fast or abstinence today. Keep your own Lenten sacrifice.
For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also. John 13:15
Today's practice: Go to the Mass of the Lord's Supper, and serve someone at home tonight.
Friday 26 March
Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord
Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).Fast (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence from meat (14 and over).
Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. John 19:30
Today's practice: Keep silence between noon and three o'clock, and go to the Good Friday liturgy.
No fast or abstinence is required. The Church encourages keeping the paschal fast until the Easter Vigil.No fast or abstinence is required. The Church encourages keeping the paschal fast until the Easter Vigil.No fast or abstinence is required. The Church encourages keeping the paschal fast until the Easter Vigil.No fast or abstinence is required. The Church encourages keeping the paschal fast until the Easter Vigil.
And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting guards. Matt 27:66
Today's practice: Keep a quiet day with Our Lady, and go to the Easter Vigil tonight if you can.
Easter Sunday: no fast or abstinence. Rejoice!Easter Sunday: no fast or abstinence. Rejoice!Easter Sunday: no fast or abstinence. Rejoice!Easter Sunday: no fast or abstinence. Rejoice!
He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. Matt 28:6
Today's practice: He is risen. Celebrate, and wish someone a happy Easter.
Scripture is from the Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), with modern verse numbers in brackets where they differ (Scripture index). The daily practices are written for The Crusade.
