Lenten regulations for the Archdiocese of Newark

Lent is the 40-day season during which Catholics pray, fast, and repent to deepen their faith in preparation for Easter. This year, Lent takes place from Ash Wednesday, March 5, through sundown on Holy Thursday, April 17.

In observance of Lent, the following obligations were approved by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., for Catholics of the Archdiocese of Newark who enjoy the blessings of good health:

• Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the days of fasting and abstinence during Lent. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.
• On a day of Fasting, only one (1) full meal and two (2) smaller meals are permitted, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.
• Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.
• On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence.
• The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially” or as a whole is a serious obligation.
• The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance. Still, each individual may substitute some other practice of voluntary self-denial for the traditional abstinence from meat as penance.
• The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, to The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 15, 2025.

For Lenten resources, visit rcan.org/lent-resources. If you have questions about Lent or Lenten obligations, speak with your local pastor.

*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.

(CNS illustration/Nancy Wiechec)