5 role models we need to help us overcome today’s problems February 26, 2026By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Saints The Lenten season provides us with no shortage of holy men and women to discover and model our lives after. The following five individuals, whose feasts typically appear on the liturgical calendar during Lent, can help us overcome some of the greatest obstacles that we face.
Question Corner: Should I give up prayers of petition this Lent as my priest suggested in his homily? February 25, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Question Corner Prayers of intercession, where we ask God to help other people in their needs, are also prayers of petition. Since praying for both the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy, it wouldn’t seem fitting to give this up for Lent!
At Curia retreat, Bishop Varden warns of Gospel’s use ‘as a weapon in culture wars’ February 23, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News The Lenten season is a reminder that Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through authentic witness, not self-righteous indignation, Norwegian Trappist Bishop Erik Varden told the pope and Vatican officials.
New Stations of the Cross unveiled at St. Peter’s Basilica for Lent 2026 February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News St. Peter’s Basilica inaugurated a new Stations of the Cross Feb. 20, with paintings by a young Swiss artist who won the Vatican’s international art competition and said in an interview with OSV News that he was deeply moved by the experience of painting St. Veronica’s encounter with Christ.
Today is a good day to begin again February 22, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window Lent isn’t about winning. It’s about taking small steps that we hope lead to big ones. If we’re doing this right, Lent will not be easy. But we are trying.
Three young sisters launch ‘Grace Keys’ musical ministry with Lenten program February 22, 2026By Dianne Towalski The Central Minnesota Catholic Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Lent, News, World News When we share God’s grace through music, we turn hearts and eyes toward him. That’s the vision behind “Grace Keys,” a new musical ministry founded by three young sisters, with the help of their mom.
Caring for creation this Lent February 21, 2026By Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Environment, Lent Like the popes and bishops speaking up to protect God’s creation, our Catholic faith calls all of us to bring our values to public life, too. You can join churches and millions of Americans in conserving resources, advocating for change and supporting initiatives to give our children a cleaner, healthier world.
Pastoral care is finally allowed inside Chicago-area ICE facility — on Ash Wednesday February 19, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, Lent, News, World News After months of trying, religious and clergy were finally able to enter the processing center for migrants without papers on the outskirts of Chicago on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. They gave Communion and distributed ashes to those inside.
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
Question Corner: Why doesn’t the Church require more demanding fasting for Lent? February 18, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Question Corner A more demanding common discipline would require far more exceptions, which could make it difficult for the majority of the Church to observe them together as one spiritual family.
Pope Leo XIV on Ash Wednesday: Ask the Lord for the gift of true conversion this Lent February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord for “the gift of true conversion” at the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
A quick guide to fasting in Lent February 18, 2026By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Lent Lent begins Feb. 18 this year. During this holy and penitential season, fasting is required of adult Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. The required days of fasting are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
