To help Catholics live this special liturgical time and deepen their knowledge of the faith, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about fasting and abstinence.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis increased his physical therapy with his condition remaining stable on Wednesday, marking the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead and calling the parish priest in Gaza, the Vatican said.

On six Fridays at area churches through Lent, Knights of Columbus groups and other organizations often offer reasonably priced Lenten seafood meals.

That’s it,” said Father Denzil Vinthanage, the priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Dozens of people attended the noon mass at church in Lufkin, which held mass four times to accommodate their members.