NEWS AND EVENTS

LENTEN OBSERVANCES
The Most Reverend Bishops Gregory J. Mansour and A. Elias Zaidan have issued the following Lenten guidelines for the Maronites of the United States.
Fasting and Abstinence

• All Maronites who are physically capable are to abstain from meat on Ash Monday (16 February 2026) and on all Fridays of Lent.

• Ash Monday (16 February 2026) and Great Friday of the Crucifixion
  (3 April 2026) are days of fasting.

• Fasting consists of eating and drinking nothing (except water and medicine) from midnight until noon; after noon, normal meals may be taken without meat

Distribution of Ashes.

• Ashes are blessed and distributed on Ash Monday (16 February 2026) during the Divine Liturgy.

• This may not take place on the vigil of Ash Monday (Cana Sunday).

• Ashes blessed on Ash Monday may be given to members of the Latin Church on Ash Wednesday, ashes are not blessed again.

Lenten Services

• Benediction with the Cross is celebrated every Friday of Lent, except on Great Friday (3 April 2026).

• This service may be preceded by Ramsho, Stations of the Cross, or the Divine Liturgy.

• Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament does not take place on Fridays of Lent.

Traditional Fasting Discipline

Clergy, religious, and laity who wish to observe the traditional Maronite fast are encouraged to do so:

• Weekdays of Lent (Monday–Friday): fasting and abstinence from meat and dairy products.

• Fasting: nothing taken from midnight until noon (except water and medicine); after noon, meals without meat or dairy.

• Saturdays and Sundays are exempt.

• Feast day exemptions: St. Joseph (19 March) and the Annunciation (25 March).