Lent Archives

Doctors with Riverdance urge return of Lenten appeal boxes in Ireland

Jun 20, 2020

In addition to spiritual loss, the Easter coronavirus lockdown meant another Irish tradition was missed: The return of the Trócaire box after Lent.

By Charles Collins

Papal preacher says human, not economic, ‘recession’ biggest virus threat

Apr 10, 2020

On Good Friday Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household, said the COVID-19 coronavirus ought to be a turning point to end wars and fuel solidarity, and that the biggest thing people should fear is not an economic recession, but the further loss of humanity.

By Elise Ann Allen

Pope says priests, along with doctors and nurses, are pandemic’s ‘saints next door’

Apr 9, 2020

ROME – Celebrating one of the most unusual Holy Thursday Masses of all time, which took place in a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis remembered priests living and dead amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying they along with doctors and nurses represent the “saints next door” during the crisis.

By Elise Ann Allen

Student Knights bring peers together for virtual fish fry using Zoom

Apr 3, 2020

The university students who belong to the Knights of Columbus council at University Catholic in Nashville decided that if their fellow students couldn’t come to their Lenten fish fry, they would bring the fish fry to them.

By Andy Telli

Amid coronavirus sacrifices, some bishops allow Friday meat in Lent

Mar 31, 2020

In the U.S., this Lent started out with some people discussing if it was acceptable to eat plant-based burgers on Fridays in Lent.

By Carol Zimmermann

Amid ‘thick darkness’ of coronavirus, Pope says it’s time to choose what really matters

Mar 27, 2020

In a major livestreamed prayer service for the end of the COVID-19 coronavirus Pope Francis said the outbreak, which comes as Christians are marking the penitential season of Lent, is an opportunity for humanity to collectively stop and reprioritize.

By Elise Ann Allen