Ash Wednesday marks the commencement of the Season of Lent, a period of 40 days leading up to the celebration of Easter. This solemn day invites us to reflect on our lives, acknowledge our shortcomings, and humbly seek God’s mercy. The ashes, an integral part of this day, symbolize our mortality and serve as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of repentance and grace.

Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026) Schedule

7:00 am, 12:10 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm (Spanish Liturgy) and 7:00 pm (Haitian Creole Liturgy).

During the Season of Lent, we are called to engage in acts of penance, prayer, and almsgiving. These spiritual disciplines provide us with an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God, foster self-discipline, and cultivate a spirit of generosity towards others. As we embrace these practices, we draw closer to the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His journey toward the resurrection.

We invite each member of our parish to actively participate in the various Lenten activities and services planned for this season. From special liturgies to prayer groups and charitable initiatives, there are numerous opportunities to come together as a community, supporting one another on this collective pilgrimage of faith.

Abstinence -Catholics over 14 years of age are bound to the obligation of abstinence. Abstinence is to be observed on Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026) and on all Fridays of Lent. On days of abstinence, meat may not be used at all.

Fast – Catholics over 18 and up to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026) and Good Friday (April 3, 2026) meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed.

Regarding other weekdays of Lent, participation in daily Mass and the voluntary observance of fasting is recommended. Commendable, particularly during Lent, is generosity to local, national and world programs of sharing our abundance, the traditional Lenten Devotions and all the self-denial summed up in the Christian concept of “mortification.”

The Basilica offers Mass daily. Mass Schedule

Fridays 5:00pm (Haitian Creole) and 7:00pm (English)

Every Friday evening during Lent, we invite you to walk the Way of the Cross with our priests and parishioners in the Basilica for Stations of the Cross.

Stations of the Cross in Spanish will be every Monday afternoon at 6:00 pm.

Our annual Lenten Fish Dinner and fundraiser for the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be held in the parish center on TBA from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Tickets must be purchased at the parish office. Adults: $15.00. Children: $7:00. The seating capacity for this event is 125 people.

Fr. Wallace and Fr. Dabney will offer a Lenten Retreat in the parish center on TBA, from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. The theme of the retreat will be, “Feeding the Hungers of the Heart.” Please register at the rectory office if you are interested in attending the retreat.

Recognizing the importance of having the Sacrament of Reconciliation within a suitable and adequate time period that makes it available for all, the Sacrament will now be celebrated every Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:10 pm and every Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:10 pm.

We will be inviting you to take the name of one of our parishioners who is preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation this Easter and to pray for them during the Lenten season. This is a beautiful way to express our support and prayer for these brothers and sisters preparing for full membership in our community