What is Lent and why do we celebrate it?

When does Lent begin and end?
Lent is a liturgical season that focuses on the three spiritual pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This 40-day journey, beginning with Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and ending with Holy Week (Apr. 6-9) is a time for sacrifice and spiritual reflection preparing us for the joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

One simple way to enhance your Lenten experience is to participate in the CRS Rice Bowl program. During Lent, Catholic families across the United States use a Rice Bowl, a small cardboard box, to collect alms. Each Rice Bowl also comes with a calendar that guides families through the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections, recipes, and stories.

What is the meaning of Lent?
As Catholics, the spiritual pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving guide us in daily reflection on our own lives as we strive to deepen our relationship with God and neighbor no matter where in the world that neighbor may live. Lent is a time of personal and spiritual growth, a time to look outward and inward. It is a journey in mercy.

How to fast for Lent
The Catechism of the Catholic Church invites Catholics ages 18 to 59 to abstain from meat and to fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as abstain from meat on the Fridays during Lent.

Preparing meatless meals, like the ones we collect from countries around the world, is a great Lenten activity for families, offering an experience of global solidarity. In addition to meatless Fridays, Catholics are also invited to offer daily sacrifices. By giving up little things like coffee or candy, we make room for God to act in our lives in new ways, and we have the opportunity to give the money we save to those most in need. You may find more resources about Lent, CRS, meatless meals, and more by visiting crsricebowl.org.

A story of hope from the Philippines
Raul and Rhodora get up at 5 a.m. each day to tend to the fishpond, pigs, and chickens before getting their granddaughters off to school. Education is important to Raul and Rhodora. Their dream is that Loraine and Kate will graduate from college and get good jobs. Loraine wants to be a doctor when she grows up.  

For years, Raul and Rhodora worked hard as coconut farmers. After harvesting, they prepared the coconuts for making oil, but it took a lot of work before they made money. On top of that, periods of heavy rain caused flooding, making farming difficult.  

Then Raul and Rhodora participated in a Catholic Relief Services program where they received training and assistance to build their own fishpond. They bought little fish to stock the pond, fish food, and a net. The fish grew bigger, and soon they were able to sell them at the market. The fishpond also provided food for their family so they could enjoy nutritious meals together.  

“Life is so much easier now that we have the fish for our daily living,” Rhodora says. 

In the program, Raul and Rhodora also learned how to better prepare for the increasing natural disasters in their area, like typhoons, flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. They made improvements to their house, using stronger, sturdier materials to protect their home and family.  

Since joining the program, Raul and Rhodora added two more fishponds along with pigs and chickens. With the extra income from their farm, their granddaughters can enjoy their childhood and live a more comfortable life, giving them the opportunity to study hard and finish school. 

“I have many dreams for my family and my grandchildren,” Raul says. “I hope I can give them something good.”