Bishop Joseph P. McFadden has written a Lenten Pastoral Letter promoting a renewed approach to the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. It and a variety of resources are available here to help all to return to the Sacrament this Lent. Items included are background and Church teachings on the topic as well as links to several helpful guides on examination of conscience and how to go to Confession.
The traditional Lenten practices of piety, fasting, almsgiving and other forms of self-denial are still most warmly recommended by the Church.
The faithful observance of Lent should manifest itself especially in the imitation of Christ in daily life and in the readiness to sacrifice time and talents whenever possible, in personal, parish, and community efforts for those in spiritual or material need. The spiritual hunger of the unchurched locally and in mission lands can be a focus of prayers and charitable giving.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat for those 14 years of age and older. They are also days of fasting for those between 18 and 59 years of age. (Those bound by the law of fasting may take one full meal. Two smaller meals are also permitted, sufficient to maintain strength according to one’s needs. Eating between meals is not permitted; but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. When health or ability to work is seriously affected, the law does not oblige.)
All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence for those 14 years of age and older.
Fridays of the year outside Lent remain days of penance. The traditional abstinence from meat is highly recommended, together with fasting, by the Bishops of the United States, for the cause of peace in the world. However, some other practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance may be substituted.