Seasonal Prayer - Lent
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors

- Please review all the Lenten Services and Opportunities posted on this page, offered by the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors, to help you throughout your Lenten Journey!
  > Click for a Message of Pope Leo XIV for Lent 2026
  Why does the Catholic Church observe Lent?
  Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for our celebration of the Resurrection at Easter. Our world is fast-paced, chaotic, and challenging. Lent is a time of retreat, a time set apart, to renew, repent, reconnect, and become re-grounded in our relationship with God.
  
  Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before he began his public ministry, facing temptation, relying on God, and becoming ready for his journey to the cross and Resurrection. During Lent, we do the same. We also walk in prayer with those who are preparing to be baptized and/or confirmed at the Easter Vigil.
  
  This Lent, if you feel like you are searching for renewal and grounding, create space for your own retreat with the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors. Find new ways to pray, connect, and practice fasting and almsgiving.
  Lenten Reconciliation / Confessions
  Come to reconnect and renew your relationship with God!
  Confessions on Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM at St. Edmund Church
  Confessions on Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM at St. Giles Church
  MORE INFORMATION - MASSES AND RECONCILIATION
  Lent Began on Ash Wednesday, February 18
  This Lent, the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors have entered into a time of retreat and preparation. Let us take this season to create space to retreat and renew our relationship with God.
  
  Beginning Ash Wednesday, cards with ideas you can use to plan your retreat during Lent will be available at all the worship sites. Connect with a small group, dive into the Art of Lent, or simply make space each day for prayer and service.
  
  As we retreat with prayer and faith sharing, fasting, almsgiving and service, let us find steady ground in Christ.
  The Third Sunday of Lent - March 8
  At all the Masses this weekend, we hear the Gospel of the woman at the well. She encounters Jesus, and over the course of their conversation becomes convinced that He is the Christ - and is forever changed. This week, those preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil enter into a special time of preparation, where they reflect on how their encounter with Christ has – and will – change their lives.
  
  How has your life been changed by your faith? How will you take some time for a retreat and renewal this week?
  In the 2026 Christian liturgical year, Ordinary Time is divided into two periods. The first period runs from January 12 to February 17, 2026, following Christmas and the Epiphany. The second period runs from May 25 to November 28, 2026, following Easter and Pentecost.
  
  Ordinary time is the longest season of the church's year! Ordinary time isn't called ordinary because it's boring, or just normal. During this season of the year, the Sundays are numbered (with "ordinal" numbers) and our focus is growing in our relationship with Christ.
  
  From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Website:
  
  Christmas Time and Easter Time highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery, namely, the incarnation, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time, on the other hand, take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ.
  
  Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
  Growing in Faith During Ordinary Time
  Questions to ponder during Ordinary time:
  What habits for spiritual growth am I being called to cultivate? Is there something I need to recommit to? Or a new way to pray I can start trying?
  Where have I seen God today in my "ordinary" life? How can I notice God more today?
  How can I be light and love to other people today?
  Resources - Ways to celebrate Ordinary Time (not for kids only!)
  Make Ordinary Time special with your family - Teaching Catholic Kids Website
Explore Lenten Opportunities within our Parish Communities
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Almsgiving

Seasonal Prayer - LentCatholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors

Why does the Catholic Church observe Lent?

Lenten Reconciliation / Confessions

Lent Began on Ash Wednesday, February 18

The Third Sunday of Lent - March 8

Growing in Faith During Ordinary Time

Resources - Ways to celebrate Ordinary Time (not for kids only!)

Seasonal Prayer - Lent
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors