Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully.
Fasting & Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Join us here at St. Vincent de Paul Parish every Friday during Lent for prayer and fellowship! We pray the Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m., and the Knights of Columbus host their famous Fish Fry from 5-7 p.m.
Feb 20 - March 27, 2026
Lenten Bible Study
All are welcome!
Join us for Bible study this Lent entitled, "The Mass Readings Explained." Prepare for Mass during the Lenten season with weekly video explanations of upcoming readings featuring Dr. Brant Pitre.
All are welcome to attend as many sessions as you can! There is no registration required.
When: Thursdays during Lent Time: 7-9 p.m. Where: Msgr. Jamail Family Center
Questions? Please contact jhmolinaro@gmail.com
Lenten Almsgiving
Almsgiving with Catholic Extension
Let’s support the renewal of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Gulfport, Mississippi!
This Lenten season, the St. Vincent de Paul parish community is invited to journey in solidarity with a historic Catholic faith community in Gulfport, Mississippi. Together with Catholic Extension Society, a fundraising entity for Catholic communities in need, we are supporting the renewal of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, a parish rich in faith, perseverance, and hope.