7 Celebrities Observing Lent and Encouraging Others to Join

In an Instagram Live Wednesday morning, the Catholic-based Hallow app did a live stream with Jonathan Roumie, a devout Catholic who plays Jesus Christ in "The Chosen," and actor and professing Christian Chris Pratt. 

"There are a lot of lives in need of saving," said Pratt, who recently partnered up with Hallow's Lent Pray40 Community prayer challenge alongside Catholic actor Mark Wahlberg. 

"I hope people turn right towards God and just feel that love and that hope and that joy that comes with God," he continued. "I think God deserves everybody, no matter where you are, who you are ... you're deserving of God's love. And I want to be part of that."

"I want God to use me, and however he sees fit, to bring people to him so that their lives can be beautiful, so that they (can) connect to their eternal spirit in heaven and get to have heaven right here on Earth, and spend the rest of their days being a light," Pratt said.

"I hope people turn right towards God and just feel that love and that hope and that joy that comes with God," he continued. "I think God deserves everybody, no matter where you are, who you are ... you're deserving of God's love. And I want to be part of that."

According to a Hallow press release, Pratt will guide sessions on fasting alongside Wahlberg. Meanwhile, Roumie, who has regularly partnered with the Hallow app, will be guiding the prayer challenge with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Wahlberg.

Roumie, who is a prominent figure associated with the Hallow app, has often narrated various prayers and Bible readings and appeared in ads promoting the app.

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/HallowApp

During an interview on Fox News, Wahlberg explained what participating in Lent meant for him.

"It's a reminder that I need to do more, and I need to be better," he said. "There's things that are in my life that are distracting and take me away from my focus on building my relationship and getting closer to God. Of course, living that purpose-filled life that He chose for me." 

He explained that Lent is also about striving to be better amid one's imperfections.

"I think we all have things to repent for," he told Fox.

"I had a very, very troubled childhood," the actor continued. "Until now, just you know, being impatient with people, being short with people, not being as understanding, as thoughtful. You get caught up in all these things every day in your life. There's only one person who was perfect that walked this Earth, and that was Jesus. And everybody else should be a little more mindful."

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/Mark Wahlberg

Actress Patricia Heaton also posted on social media celebrating Ash Wednesday. In response to someone who asked Heaton whether Ash Wednesday was biblical, Heaton posted an image explaining the practice of fasting in Scripture. 

"At Nicea, the council settled on the 40-day fast period for Lent", the post states, citing biblical examples of 40-day events which explains that the religious observance is primarily based on the temptation of Jesus' in the wilderness while on a 40-day fast. 

"Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying, and being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). But though the length of Lent was set by the council, its start date in relation to Easter was still undecided."

Photo Credit: ©X/Patricia Heaton

Actor David Henrie, who stars in the Disney+ series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, also posted on Ash Wednesday with a picture of the ashes on his forehead shaped like a cross. 

"A blessed Ash Wednesday and lent to you all. '..for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.' #lent here we go 💪 🔥 Talk to me people, what are we doing to strip away our old self and make way for the new? #ashtag," Henrie, a practicing Catholic, wrote.

Henrie has also been featured on the Hallow app.  

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/David Henrie

Singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani announced on social media on Wednesday that she will be participating in the Hallow App's Pray40 challenge. 

"Every year, i try to make this time more intentional, and i'm so excited to do @hallowapp's Pray40 challenge – The Way," Stefani, who was raised Catholic, wrote. 

"This challenge is all about deepening our faith and remembering what Jesus did for us," she added. 

Stefani also shared that the challenge is being led by Roumie, Pratt, and Wahlberg, whom she described as "amazing people" and shared that it will also include her own faith story. 

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/gwenstefani

Television host and actor Mario Lopez, who attended a Mass on Ash Wednesday, encouraged followers to show more acts of kindness this Lenten season rather than give something up. 

"Time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter. So for the next 40 days. By the way, instead of giving something up for Lent, you can choose to perform an act of good," he said in an Instagram video.

"Volunteer at a local charity or donate to a cause you care about. Or just make an effort to be more kind and compassionate to others," he added. 

"I always find it a little bit more impactful to do something as opposed to giving up like bread or chocolate or something like that. But you know what? You do you. God bless. Have a blessed Ash Wednesday, and stay prayed up." Lopez concluded.

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/Mario Lopez