Why Isn’t Lent Exactly 40 Days? The Surprising History Behind the Church’s Calendar
Why is Lent 40 days? Here's the biblical and liturgical explanation behind the season's length.
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox.
Join us, for free!
Processing your application
Please check your inbox and click the link to confirm
your subscription.
There was an error sending the email
Trending this week:
20 Powerful Saint Quotes to Kick Off Your Lenten Season The Right Way
“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” - Soon-to-be-Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The Child Saint Who Received the 'Hidden Jesus' Only Once: The Remarkable Story of Saint Francisco Marto
Saint Francisco Marto received Jesus in the Eucharist only once… and that single Communion was enough for him to live — and die — as a true saint.
'Very Moving': Olympic Medalist Thanks God at Mass in Italy After Historic Victory for Poland
"It was a very moving Mass. Kacper was the lector and wanted to thank God for the medals.” - Father Edward Pleń
Prayer Before a Crucifix: The Plenary Indulgence You Can Obtain on Fridays During Lent
On Fridays during Lent, there is a beautiful way to obtain a plenary indulgence: reciting the Prayer Before a Crucifix. Here's how to do it!
Catholic Celebs Wear Ash Wednesday Ashes, Urge Prayer & Sacraments: 'Go to Confession'
Celebrities David Henrie, Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie, Patricia Heaton, Gwen Stefani, and Raymond Arroyo are encouraging Catholics to grow in holiness this Lent!
Your Comprehensive Guide to Ash Wednesday Ashes
What do your ashes look like this year? Let us know in the comments!
Can Non-Catholics Get Ashes? All Your Ash Wednesday Questions, Answered
Ash Wednesday is the Church’s doorway into Lent — a day when we wear on our foreheads what our hearts are called to live: repentance, hope, and a new start with Jesus.
Wearing Ashes on TV: CBS Affiliate Anchor Witnesses Catholic Faith in One of America’s Most Secular Cities
Tune in to KOIN 6 News on Ash Wednesday, and you may witness a small, enduring symbol of faith shining through the evening broadcast!
If You Begin a 54-Day Rosary Novena on Ash Wednesday, You’ll Finish on Divine Mercy Sunday!
Grab your Rosary, set your intention, and let Our Lady guide you from Lent into mercy!
Siobhan Fallon Hogan & Kevin James Talk Chris Farley’s Catholic Faith on EWTN's ‘Catholics and Cappuccinos’ Podcast
Did you know Chris Farley was deeply Catholic?
Actor Mario Lopez Attends Mass & Meets Pope Leo in ‘Humbling’ Vatican Visit: ‘Faith Over Everything’
"Saved by the Bell" star Mario Lopez said that "as a Catholic," his visit to the Vatican "was incredibly special" and something he will "never forget."
Looking for a Meaningful Lent? 26 Last Minute Ideas for Your Holiest Lent Yet
Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Have you considered what you’re doing for this penitential season? Here is a list of 26 sacrifices for Lent 2026!
'I Don't Remember': What Jesus Told a 17th-Century Mystic About the Merciful Power of Confession
"He said, 'I don't remember.'"
Roses Are Red, Relics Are Too: 5 Churches That Hold the Bones of Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine wasn’t just a symbol of romance — he was a priest who lived and died for divine love.
Canonization Process Opened for FOCUS Missionary Who Died of Cancer at Age 31
“Courageously surrender your fears to Christ and boldly move forward in doing the good.” Michelle Christine Duppong said these words in her Dakota Catholic Action “Run to Win” column on Sept. 4, 2014, approximately one year prior to her death. Diocese of Bismarck Bishop David Kagan announced on June 15...
The Importance of Living Simply: Why Rejecting Consumerism Feeds the Spiritual Life
Why is living simply important? On this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, podcast hosts John Heinen and Sam Guzman discuss rejecting worldly consumerism. “It is by rejecting consumerism and by turning away from more stuff that we open ourselves up to actually serve God’s will in our lives,” the...
"My Mind Was Blown": Fr. Mike Schmitz on How the Eucharist Changed His Life
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi! On this beautiful feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how the Eucharist changed his entire life. The Catholic speaker and campus chaplain for the University of Duluth, Minn., reveals why it is a “teaching worth dying for” and...
7 Powerful Books That Shaped the Lives of the Saints
These books can help you become a saint! 💪 In this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, Brandon Vogt of Word on Fire Ministries joins Ryan Scheel, Fr. Rich Pagano, and Ryan DellaCrosse to discuss seven amazing books that helped shape the lives of the saints. Some of these books include...
7 Strategies to Overcome Any Obstacle in Life (With God's Help)
You can overcome any obstacle with God’s help! On this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, podcast hosts John Heinen and Sam Guzman discuss overcoming laziness and acedia with motivational Catholic speaker and Australian Jonathan Doyle. They discuss his life as an athlete and motivational coach, as well as avoiding...
7 Fascinating Things You Didn't Know About Church Bells
There’s so much to know about church bells! 🔔 On this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, podcast hosts Ryan Scheel, Fr. Rich Pagano, and Ryan DellaCross discuss “fascinating facts about the history and use of church bells.” The guys cover these topics: • Demons’ fear of church bells • Secret codes...