Lenten Practices from the Diocesan Chancery Office

A Message from the Chancery

NOTICE – LENTEN PRACTICES 2026
The season of Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and concludes when the Paschal Triduum of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord begins at the start of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The following practices and regulations are promulgated and binding for all Latin Rite Catholics in the Diocese of Erie for Lent and the Paschal Triduum, 2026. Eastern Rite Catholics who may be attending Latin Rite parishes have their own proper regulations and should consult their own eparchy or parish.
1. Traditional Lenten practices of PRAYER, FASTING, and ALSMGIVING, and other forms of self-denial, are recommended most warmly by the Church. Daily Mass is particularly encouraged.
2. ASH WEDNESDAY, ALL FRIDAYS IN LENT, and GOOD FRIDAY are days of abstinence from eating meat for those 14 years of age and older.
3. ASH WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY are also days of fasting for those ages 18 to 58 inclusive. (On these days, those bound by the law of fasting may take one full meal. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength according to one’s needs, are also permitted. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or work is seriously affected, the law does not oblige.)
4. On HOLY THURSDAY, no celebration of the Mass is to begin anywhere in the diocese earlier than 4:30pm without the explicit approval of Bishop Persico.
5. Although it does not include the Liturgy of the Eucharist, by its very nature the GOOD FRIDAY service is celebrated by a priest only.
6. All celebrations of the EASTER VIGIL are to begin after nightfall (which is defined as approximately one hour after local sunset) Nightfall is about 9:00pm this year. To balance pastoral need and liturgical prescriptions, Bishop Persico has decreed that the Easter Vigil in the Diocese of Erie is to begin at 8:30pm or any later time. Any start time earlier than 8:30pm must receive explicit approval from the Bishop.
By order of the Most Reverend Bishop
January 9, 2025
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Singer
The Rev. Christopher J. Singer, JCL
Chancellor