Lent

Lenten Opportunities at St. Leonard

  • Prayer

    Stations of the Cross: 

    • Thursdays of Lent, 6 p.m., church
    • Good Friday, 5 p.m., church

    Rosary: First Sunday of the month at 8:25 a.m. in the church


    Divine Mercy Chaplet: Third weekend of the month after all Masses in the chapel


    Eucharistic Adoration: 

    • Mondays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

    Chapel Hours:

    Our chapel is open for personal prayer during office hours and adoration hours (see above). Please note that our Noon Daily Masses take place in the chapel (see the calendar or page 2 of the bulletin for the Daily Mass schedule).

    • Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Friday: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

  • Fasting

    Fasting is required for individuals ages 18-59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.


    This year, 2025, Catholics are also asked to fast on April 9. In honor of the Jubilee Year, Archbishop Grob has asked all the Catholic faithful to make this a day of Reparation and Fasting. All are invited to fast and make small acts of reparation in recognition of how we have - individually and as a society - failed to be signs of hope to others. We remember in our sacrifice and prayer those who suffer exclusion, indifference, poverty, hunger, and the pain of war. Learn more here.


    Abstinence from meat is required for individuals ages 14 and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent.


    If fasting from food would be harmful due to physical or mental health conditions, you can choose an alternate way to fast.


    More information from the USCCB: Flyer | Webpage

  • Almsgiving

    We have compelted our Lenten Collections for the 2025 season. Thank you to all those who gave generously to local non-profit organizations. 


    Thank you to those who gave to our Easter Food Collection for those in need! 

  • Confession Times

    Weekly Opportunities:

    • Wednesdays: 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
    • Saturdays: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Good Friday: 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (immediately following our Good Friday service). 


    Our observance of Lent in 2025 is coming to a close. We will update this page with any additional Lenten confession opportunities in 2026.

  • NEW: A Lenten Walk Through the Eucharistic Congress

    We have concluded this series. Thank you for joining us!

  • Soup & Bread Meal

    Soup & Bread Meal

    Thank you to everyone who attended our Soup & Bread Meal this year! Our heart-filled gratitude to those who shared their time or donated to make this event possible. We hope to see you again next year on Ash Wednesday!


    About: Soup & Bread is a meatless meal held on Ash Wednesday to help us embark on our Lenten journey in fellowship. It is conveniently timed between two of our services with ashes. There is no cost to attend.


    Soup & Bread at home

    If you're feeling inspired to bring the essence of the Soup & Bread meal to your home, we have each of the recipes right here!


    Contact Michelle

When is Lent?

The Liturgical season of Lent occurs from Ash Wednesday through sundown on Holy Thursday. This year it is March 5-sundown April 17.


How do I observe Lent differently than other Liturgical seasons?

The pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. During Lent we practice these pillars to become better disciples. Is there any part of your life in which God isn’t prioritized, or a way you need to grow deeper in relationship with Him? Pray about what you need to "give up" or "take on" for Lent to help you work on that. Explore the opportunities we have at St. Leonard to get connected to the season (see above).


Why do we have Lent?

To prepare for Easter, but more specifically, to prepare for or remember your Baptism! Lent is about preparing for Christ's dying and rising at Easter, which we are united in through the Easter Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. It is a final preparation phase for those entering into the Church through the Sacraments, and for those who have already been Baptized to return to faithful observance of the call to discipleship given at Baptism.


Why is the Sacrament of Reconciliation emphasized during Lent?

As described in the paragraph above, we are on a journey of returning to faithful observance of our baptismal identity and vocation. On that journey, when we recognize ways that we've missed the mark, we need to seek God's mercy- the grace to be cleansed of our sins and continue our journey with renewed strength to turn away from sin- in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.