Lent Starts Late This Year, Make the Most of It with Catholic Black History Lessons
When is Lent?
Most years, February arrives, and Catholics everywhere start shifting into Lent mode. People are stocking up on devotionals, planning out fasting goals, and trying to remember where they put last year’s Rice Bowl. But when is Lent this year? It doesn’t start until February 14th, which means we have a little extra time before Ash Wednesday arrives. Instead of diving straight into Lenten sacrifices, we can take a breath and focus on a few other important things first, such as learning more about Catholic Black History Month.
There is a TPT Sale on February 4th & 5th. Use the code FEBSALE25 to get 25% off everything in my store, including the full year of Catholic Kids Bulletins!
When Is Lent and Why Does the Date Change?
Lent doesn’t have a fixed date because it depends on Easter, which moves around each year. Here’s how it works:
- Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
- Once Easter is set, you count back 46 days (40 days of Lent, plus six Sundays that don’t count as part of the fast), which lands you on Ash Wednesday. So…when is Lent in 2025? It starts on March 5th with Ash Wednesday. The latest possible date for Ash Wednesday is March 10th, so we’re very late this year!
If you’re already thinking ahead, here are some of my most popular resources to prepare for Lent:
- Lent & Holy Week Unit with PowerPoint, Guided Notes, & Test: This is one of my most popular resources!
- Lent Stations of the Cross Presentation: Students create and present their own reflections.
- Lent Game (I Have Who Has): Lent Trivia in a collaborative activity.
- Lent Bulletin Board: This is a super easy bulletin board focusing in Lent goals to Pray, Fast, & Give.
- Lent Discussion slides: Start each class with reflection and prayer.
But if you’re not quite ready to dive into Lent just yet, that’s perfectly fine! This extra time gives us a rare opportunity to pause and focus on other important aspects of our faith. And since February is Catholic Black History Month, why not take some time to explore the incredible stories of Black Catholics who have shaped the Church? Their faith, perseverance, and contributions are an essential part of our shared history, and this is the perfect moment to learn more about them.
Catholic Black History Month
The Catholic Church is universal, embracing people from every race, culture, and background. February is Black History Month in the US and Canada. This is a great a time to recognize the contributions of Black Catholics who have shaped the faith. Unfortunately, many Black saints and holy figures have been overlooked in history—or inaccurately represented in art and literature.
Christian Artwork & Catholic Black History
For centuries, Christian artwork reflected the cultures of the European artists who created it. This is why biblical figures and saints have often been depicted with European features, even when historical accuracy suggests otherwise. Saint Augustine, one of the most influential theologians in Church history, was a North African bishop, yet many traditional paintings depict him as an elderly European man. Similarly, Saints Perpetua and Felicity—early Christian martyrs from Africa—are often portrayed in ways that obscure their heritage.
These artistic choices weren’t necessarily intended to erase identities but rather reflected the cultural context of the artists who created them. I told the students that we could give the artists the benefit of the doubt and assume they depicted people in their own likeness without any intentional malice. However, I love that in recent years, there has been a growing effort to portray saints and biblical figures more accurately, celebrating the global nature of the Church and its rich diversity.
Even Jesus has frequently been shown with fair skin, light hair, and blue eyes, though He was born in the Middle East and would have looked more like the Jewish people of His time.
I would often have students who would point this out whenever a blond haired, blue eyed Jesus would show up in image in our classroom.
I created this poster and PowerPoint to help the students have open discussions about Jesus’ appearance. They loved to discuss their image of Jesus (and ombre haired Jesus was always a favorite).
Black Catholic Saints to Introduce to Your Students
- Saint Josephine Bakhita – Born in Sudan and enslaved as a child, she eventually gained her freedom and became a Canossian sister in Italy. Her story is one of forgiveness, resilience, and deep trust in God.
- Saint Benedict of Palermo – The son of enslaved parents, he joined the Franciscans and was known for his wisdom, humility, and generosity.
- Saints Perpetua and Felicity – Two African women who were martyred for their faith, standing side by side despite the Roman Empire’s persecution.
- Saint Augustine of Hippo and his wonderful mother, Monica– A brilliant theologian and bishop from North Africa whose writings continue to shape Christian thought today.
- Blessed Isidore Bakanja – A layman from the Congo who was tortured and killed for sharing the Catholic faith, yet he forgave his persecutors as he died.
- Saint Charles Lwanga – A Ugandan convert to Christianity and a leader among the Martyrs of Uganda, who courageously defended his faith and the dignity of his companions before being martyred in 1886.
Recognizing the real history of these saints matters—not just for historical accuracy, but because representation in faith is important. The Church has always been global, embracing people from every nation, and their stories deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
How Will You Use This Extra Time Before Lent?
We don’t often get a February where Lent isn’t looming over us from day one. So whether you’re diving into Lenten prep, taking time to deepen your understanding of the Mass, or learning about the incredible figures we celebrate during Catholic Black History Month, I hope you find this season meaningful.
How are you planning to use this time? Are you getting ready for Lent, exploring the Mass more deeply, or learning about Black Catholic saints? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Who is your favorite Black Catholic Saint?
February Catholic Kids Bulletin
***There are THREE ways to get Catholic Kids Bulletins***
- ✨ 1. Enjoy a FREE Download!
- I created these bulletins as a new mom who couldn’t afford resources like this for my kiddos. So, these will always be free for anyone who needs them! Free downloads are made available a week or two before each new month begins.
- ✨2. Monthly Purchase
- Not ready to commit to a full year? No problem! You can buy this month’s bulletins for just $9 to help support my small business.
- ✨3. Full-Year Purchase
- Save time and get the entire YEAR of Catholic Kids Bulletins in one easy download! This comprehensive resource includes both Spanish and English versions, covering every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. This page includes detailed descriptions of the bulletins if you want more information.
- ✝️ Weekly Gospel Connection:
- Each bulletin includes a coloring page that reflects the week’s Gospel reading.
- ✨ Saint of the Week:
- Each week highlights a Catholic Saint, inspiring kids with the stories of holy men and women.
- ✍️ Weekly Activities:
- Kids can dive into fun activities, which are different every week. The bulletins may include Psalm tracing, mazes, color-by-number, puzzles, and word searches.
- ✔️Mass Liturgy Outline:
- The top of each bulletin features an outline of the Mass, helping kids learn the order and structure of the liturgy as they follow along.
Have you used Catholic Kids Bulletins before? If you have questions, check here…
If you like these bulletins and want to extend the learning about the Mass, check out these activities!
February Catholic Kids Bulletin
Febrero Boletín para Niños Católicos
February Bulletins include…
- ✝️ Ordinary Time
- ✝️ Saint Josephine Bakhita
- ✝️ Saint Paul Miki
- ✝️ Saint Blaise
- ✝️ Saint Valentine (Check out this skit about Saint Valentine!)
- ✝️ Saint Francisco and Jacinta Marta
Follow Catholic Kids on Social Media for more ideas and resources to make it easier to teach your kids about our faith!
