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Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on February, 18 2025. Masses are at 9am, 4:30pm (Live streamed), and 7pm. It is a sacred season in the Catholic liturgical calendar, spanning 40 days of preparation leading up to the Easter Triduum. Rooted in the biblical account of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, Lent provides a unique opportunity to engage in self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth.
During this period, Catholics are encouraged to embrace prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer deepens our connection with God, fasting fosters self-discipline and detachment from worldly comforts, and almsgiving invites us to share our blessings with those in need.
As we journey through Lent, we are invited to examine our lives, seek reconciliation, and draw closer to God. It is a time of heightened awareness, intentional reflection, and a humble pursuit of a more profound relationship with Jesus.
Join us in observing Lent at Holy Trinity Parish as we walk together towards the joyous celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026.
Ways To Participate in Lent 2026 at Holy Trinity Parish
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday during Lent, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross at 4:00 pm in person, except on Good Friday, when it will be held at 10 am.
Reconciliation
We encourage you to come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent. Here is an examination of conscience. The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered before Mass on Friday mornings (8:30 am – 8:50 am) and Saturday afternoons (3:30 pm – 4:15 pm).
Lenten Reconciliation
Our parish reconciliation night will be on Wednesday, March 25, from 7 to 8:30 pm. We will have additional priests joining Fr. Tim and Fr. Michael for confessions that night. We will have the Blessed Sacrament exposed throughout this time.
Also, in addition to our regular weekly reconciliation times, Fr. Tim and Fr. Michael will be offering confessions on Saturday, March 28, 2:30 – 4:15 pm.
Lenten Reconciliation at St. Benedict’s
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered at St. Benedicts Parish on March 25th, 9 am to 4 pm (with a break for mass at 12:15), March 26th, 4 to 9 pm, and on Good Friday (Apr 3rd), 5 to 7 pm.
Saint Benedict Lenten Mission
A Lenten Mission will be offered at Saint Benedict Parish in the evenings on – March 5th, 6th and 7th, the theme is on Identity, Work & Rest.
Lenten Adult Faith Formation Opportunity! – ‘Call the Doctor!: Encountering the Lives & Legacies of the Church’s Great Teachers’
Over the 2,000 years of Church history, 38 men and women have been designated by the Church as ‘Doctors’: individuals whose lives, teachings, contributions, and example have been foundational to our understanding and practice of the faith. This Lent, we’ll examine how these Doctors challenge us to go deeper in our discipleship with Christ and provide us with tools to help us enter into a deeper and more profound relationship with God through prayer, pondering, and practice!
This 7 week course is open to all who wish to enroll and runs through Lent. HTP’s Faith Formation Coordinator Alex Craven will host the sessions on Mondays from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at St. John Vianney church on the evenings: Feb 16, Feb 23, Mar 2, Mar 9, Mar 16, Mar 23 & Mar 30. A requested donation of $10 is asked to cover some of the materials provided throughout. Register to join us by clicking HERE or email Alex Craven at faithformation@holytrinityns.ca for more information!
Resources to Dive Deeper Into Lent 2026
Holy Trinity’s own Alex Craven created a three-part video series called ‘What is Meant by Lent?’. It helps us reconnect with the Good News, the Bad News, and the Best News at the heart of the Gospel. To watch them, Click Here!
As a parish, we subscribe to FORMED, which is an online digital library of hundreds of Catholic discipleship resources, from films, to books, to study programs, to audio resources, and children’s media! For a list of FREE Lenten resources for the whole family, CLICK HERE.
Dynamic Catholic The Best Lent Ever Eucharistic Consecration: Once you sign up, each day of The Best Lent Ever, you’ll receive a short, FREE video from Matthew Kelly full of profound spiritual insight and intensely practical ways to apply the consecration to your life. Consecration means to dedicate yourself to God and make yourself 100 percent available to Him. With three simple daily steps, you can prepare your heart, mind, and soul for this powerful surrender. Sign Up For Free!
Hallow
The #1 Catholic prayer app–breaks down everything you need to know about Lent–including the best prayer resources you’ll find anywhere. Lent can be an incredibly rewarding time for our faith lives. Let Hallow guide you through the most meaningful Lent you’ve ever experienced. Learn More HERE!
Journey through Lent with the whole family! Join art teacher Ms. Kim as she teaches children to draw different scenes from the Gospels, including Ash Wednesday, the healing of the blind man, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and more. With compelling storytelling, Ms. Kim points out key details from Scripture and Catholic tradition. As kids follow along and learn new art skills, they also learn to see the connections between the big picture of God’s story and their place within it.
The Chosen: Not specifically Lent-related, but this series is incredible to watch any time of the year! Check out a Catholic Guide to The Chosen HERE.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday: Sat, March 28 – 4:30 pm & Sun, March 29 – 9:00 am, 11:15 am
Chrism Mass: Tue, March 31 – 12:00 pm @ Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica 5221 Spring Garden Road, Halifax. note: No 9:00 am mass offered that day
Holy Thursday: Thu, April 2 – 7:00 pm* note: No 9:00 am mass offered that day
Family Stations of the Cross: Fri, April 3 – 10:00 am
Good Friday: Fri, April 3 – 3:00 pm * note: No 9:00 am mass offered that day
Good Friday Stations Of The Cross: Fri, April 3 – 10 am note: No 9:00 am mass offered that day
Easter Vigil: Sat, April 4 – 8:00 pm* note: No 4:30 pm mass offered that day
Easter Sunday: Sun, April 5 – 9:00 am*, 11:15 am
*livestream available on Holy Trinity Parish YouTube Channel
HOLY WEEK EXPLAINED
Holy Week is a sacred period leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the final week of Jesus Christ’s life, his crucifixion, and resurrection. Throughout Holy Week, we engage in prayer, reflection, and acts of penance as we journey with Jesus through his final days. It’s a time of profound spiritual significance, inviting you to deepen your faith and draw closer to Jesus.
Palm Sunday
When: Saturday, March 28, at 4:30 pm and Sunday, March 29, at 9:00 am and 11:15 am
Where: Holy Trinity Parish, St John Vianney Church, 4 Beaver Bank Road, Lower Sackville.
What: Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Blessed palm branches are received at the beginning of Mass, symbolizing the palm branches laid before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. The Gospel narrative of Jesus’ Passion is also read at thisMass.
Chrism Mass
When: Tuesday, March 31, at 12:00 pm.
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, 5221 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax
What: The Chrism Mass will be on Tuesday, March 31, at St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Halifax- not at Holy Trinity Parish. Chrism is a sweet perfume, usually balsam, which is added to one of the oils during the Chrism Mass. The Oil of the Sick (used during the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick), the Oil of Catechumens (used during the Sacrament of Baptism), and the Sacred Chrism Oil (used during the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders) are consecrated by the Bishop. Large vessels of oils are carried to the front of the altar to be consecrated. After Mass, the oils are distributed to representatives of each parish. The oils are taken back to the parishes and used for the Sacraments throughout the year. There is also a renewal of priestly promises during the Chrism Mass. Traditionally, every priest within a diocese attends this Mass. The Bishop requests that the laity of the diocese pray for him and the priests of the diocese.
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
When: Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 pm
Where: Holy Trinity Parish, St John Vianney Church, 4 Beaver Bank Road, Lower Sackville.
What: This day commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood. During the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Catholics recall Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet and the institution of the Eucharist. After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to the Altar of Repose, where the faithful can pray in adoration.
Good Friday – Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
When: Friday, April 3, at 3:00 pm
Where: Holy Trinity Parish, St John Vianney Church, 4 Beaver Bank Road, Lower Sackville.
What: Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Catholics commemorate this solemn day with special liturgies, including the veneration of the Cross and the reading of the Passion narrative. Fasting and abstinence are observed, and this is the only day of the year that Mass is not celebrated. Instead, the faithful receive the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday.
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil, Resurrection of the Lord
When: Saturday, April 4, at 8:00 pm (Note: there will be no 4:30 pm Mass this day)
Where: Holy Trinity Parish, St John Vianney Church, 4 Beaver Bank Road, Lower Sackville.
What: This day is a time of quiet anticipation, as Catholics await the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The Easter Vigil, celebrated after sundown, is the high point of Holy Saturday. It begins with the blessing of the Easter fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolizing the light of Christ overcoming darkness. The Liturgy of the Word includes readings recounting salvation history, culminating in the proclamation of the Resurrection. Baptismal and Eucharistic sacraments are often celebrated during this vigil, welcoming new members into the Church.
Easter Sunday – Resurrection of the Lord
When: Sunday, April 5, at 9:00 am and 11:15 am
Where: Holy Trinity Parish, St John Vianney Church, 4 Beaver Bank Road, Lower Sackville.
What: The pinnacle of the liturgical year, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Masses are joyous and triumphant, with the Gloria and Alleluia reintroduced after being omitted during Lent. The faithful gather to celebrate the resurrection and the promise of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus!
To learn more in-depth details, visit Dynamic Catholic