On February 18, the Church enters the sacred season of Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday, a day marked by humility, repentance, and hope. As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we are reminded of both our human frailty and God’s enduring mercy— an invitation to turn our hearts back to Him. Ash Wednesday begins forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, calling us to slow down, examine our lives honestly, and prepare our hearts more intentionally for the joy of Easter.
Lenten Prayer from the USCCB
Loving God,
As we enter into these days of Lent,
Grant us the grace to draw closer to You,
To seek humility and truth in our lives,
And to turn away from what distracts us
From following Your will.
Open our hearts to repentance,
Fill our minds with Your wisdom,
And strengthen our spirits in Your love.
May we walk faithfully with You
Through these forty days of prayer, fasting,
And almsgiving,
That we may enter into the joy of Easter
With renewed hearts and minds.
Amen.
Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — Lenten Prayers