The annual Lenten Season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter.

The Lenten Season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the paschal mystery at the Easter Vigil. The catechumens are prepared for the celebration of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation by the Rite of Election and scrutinies and catechesis; the faithful ever more attentive to the Word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises.

- Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts,
Congregation for Divine Worship, Vatican City, 1988 #6

During Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010, to the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010, the faithful are encouraged to examine their lives in light of their baptismal commitment: to ask forgiveness for those times they have been unfaithful and to celebrate a strengthening of their faith through frequent celebration of the Eucharist, daily pondering of Scripture, celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, participation in Lenten Devotions such as the Stations of the Cross, and performance of acts of self-denial, charity and works of mercy. The specific discipline of the Church in the United States regarding penitential days is as follows:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, April 2, are Days of Fast and Abstinence.

The Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence.

Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast; by this obligation the individual is permitted only one full meal in the day. From the age of 14 all are obliged to abstain.
The law of abstinence forbids eating meat, but not eggs, milk products, or condiments of any kind even though made from animal fat.

The obligation to observe the laws of fast and abstinence "substantially" or as a whole is a serious obligation. Failure to observe any penitential day in itself is not considered serious. It is the failure to observe any penitential days at all, or a substantial number of such days, which is considered serious.

The time for fulfilling the paschal precept (Easter Duty) extends from the first Sunday of Lent, February 21, 2010, to Trinity Sunday, May 30, 2010.