Lent

Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ."  - Pope Francis

This year, Lent begins on February 22, 2023 as we observe Ash Wednesday. It continues through the afternoon of Holy Thursday, April 6, and ends as we begin the Sacred Paschal Triduum with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

In a particular way during Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy that "remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit."  Pope Francis reminds us, "God's mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of a faithful love, to become merciful in turn."

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)
from the message of his Holiness, Pope Francis, for Lent

Events

• Mon., March 20 at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 1200 Mendon Rd., Woonsocket
• Tues., March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Parish, 381 School St., North Kingstown
• Mon., March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 141 State St., Bristol
• Tues., April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish, 244 Smith St., Providence

• Holy Masses to be live streamed from the Cathedral for Holy Week (schedule forthcoming)
• View the live stream of selected Holy Masses and celebrations from the Cathedral at https://provd.io/live
• Live stream schedule for Holy Week in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence

• The Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul  
• View the live stream from the Cathedral at https://provd.io/live

• Friday, April 7 - Passion Service at 7:45 p.m.
• Saturday, April  8 - Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m.
• April 9 Easter Sunday at 9:15 a.m.

Resources and more

• Guidelines for Lent 2023: Lenten Fast and Abstinence Regulations 
• Get inspired! Listen to the the Diocese of Providence's custom Lenten playlist on Spotify 
• Papal Message for Lent
• Calendar for Lent & other Lenten Resources from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Find a Holy Mass near you, visit our Parish Page. *Please contact each parish directly for the most up to date information.*
• Readings for Lent
• Video Reflections
• Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism
• Stations of the Cross from Catholic Relief Services/Operation Rice Bowl
• The Sacrament of Reconciliation: A Short Guide
• Resources for Individuals for Lent
• Saints for the Lenten Season
• The Spiritual Works of Mercy
• The Corporal Works of Mercy
• Moments of Mercy for Lent
• Lenten Reflections via the USCCBlog
• CRS Operation Rice Bowl
• Almsgiving
• Fast & Abstinence
• Lenten Prayer
• Questions & Answers about Lent
• Rediscovering the Sacrament of Penance
• Reflection on Lenten Fasting
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Six Ways to Evangelize during Lent
• Stations of the Cross
• Ten Things to Remember for Lent

As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us. What are we to repent?  Our indifference, our hardness of heart.  What are we to believe?  Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.  -Blessed Teresa of Calcutta