Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that prepares us for the joy of Easter. Many Catholics observe Lent by abstaining from meat on Fridays, a practice rooted in penance and spiritual discipline. But beyond simply replacing meat with fish, Lent calls us to a deeper conversion of heart.

Fasting and abstinence are not ends in themselves—they are meant to lead us to greater reliance on God. As we walk this Lenten journey, we are invited to reflect on the sacrifices we make and how they draw us closer to Christ. True renewal comes not just from external observances but from interior transformation.

To explore more on this theme, read the full reflection on the meaning of Lenten sacrifice from the Dominicana Journal.