George Boyle
Lent is a 40-day period observed by Christians before Easter, involving fasting and penitence. It is a time of preparation and focus, reminding Christians of Jesus' time in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. The start date of Lent changes each year as it begins 46 days before Easter Sunday, which can fall anytime between March 22 and April 25. In 2025, Lent started on March 5, and in 2023, it ended on April 8. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 21, marking the beginning of the Lenten season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 5 March 2025 |
| Duration | 40 days (excluding Sundays) |
| Start Day | Ash Wednesday |
| End Day | Maundy Thursday or Holy Saturday |
| End Date | 17 April 2025 or 19 April 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Lent is a 40-day period
Lent is observed in the Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, United Protestant, and Orthodox Christian traditions, among others. The specific days that are considered part of Lent vary among these denominations, depending on how the date of Easter is calculated and the specific traditions of each denomination.
The start date of Lent changes each year because it is calculated as 46 days before Easter Sunday, which can fall anytime between March 22 and April 25. This means that Lent usually falls within the month of March, which is the meaning of the word "Lent" in Germanic languages, derived from the word "lencten," meaning "spring" or "springtime."
The pattern of fasting and praying for 40 days is seen in the Christian Bible, with examples including Moses and Elijah. The liturgical season of Lent was established based on these biblical examples and has been observed by Christians for centuries as a time of preparation and reflection leading up to Easter.
Lent is also referred to as "The Great Fast" in several languages, including Arabic, Syriac, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian, emphasizing the importance of fasting during this period.
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It begins on Ash Wednesday
Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday that begins on Ash Wednesday. The 40-day duration is symbolic of the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before starting his public ministry. The start date of Lent changes each year because it is calculated as the 46 days before the Saturday of Easter weekend. This means that Lent always falls within the month of March, which is reflected in the word's likely Germanic roots, "lencten", meaning "spring" or "March".
Lent is a liturgical season of penitential preparation, where Christians turn to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Many Christians also choose to give up something for the duration of Lent, such as alcohol or sweets, in remembrance of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of marking crosses on the foreheads of Catholics and other Christians with ashes, publicly showing remorse for their sins. This is done in reference to Genesis 3:19: "...For you are dust, and to dust, you shall return."
In 2025, Lent will begin on Wednesday, March 5th, and will either end on Maundy Thursday (April 17) or Holy Saturday (April 19), depending on the denomination.
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Sundays are excluded from Lent
Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday. It begins on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday, and ends on Holy Thursday. However, Sundays are excluded from the 40-day count. This is because every Sunday is considered a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, also known as a mini Easter. Thus, it is not a day of fasting or abstinence. Instead, it is a day to indulge in what one has given up for Lent.
The exclusion of Sundays from the Lenten count is not merely a matter of arithmetic. It is rooted in the belief that Lent is a season of penitential preparation, where one turns their heart and mind to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By excluding Sundays, the season of Lent becomes a wilderness moment, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, praying and fasting.
During Lent, individuals may give up certain habits or indulgences as a spiritual discipline. However, on Sundays, individuals are encouraged to take a break from their Lenten sacrifices and celebrate. This practice is often viewed as a free pass or a day of indulgence, allowing individuals to partake in the activities or foods they had initially given up.
The tradition of excluding Sundays from Lent has been in place since the time of St. Gregory the Great. He described the fasting custom in Rome as consisting of six weeks of six days each, excluding Sundays as a day of celebration and spiritual respite.
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Lent ends on Maundy Thursday or Holy Saturday
Lent is a liturgical season observed by Christians that lasts for 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, although the Sundays within this period may or may not be excluded from the count depending on the denomination. The 40-day duration is symbolic of the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before starting his public ministry.
Lent ends on the evening of Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which ushers in the Holy Triduum, a separate liturgical season in its own right. The Triduum is a three-day event that begins on Maundy Thursday evening and ends at sundown on Holy Saturday when the Easter Vigil is celebrated.
In some Christian denominations, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday form the Easter Triduum. The last week of Lent is known as Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday.
While Lent formally ends on Holy Thursday, Lenten fasting practices and penances may continue until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday or even until the conclusion of whichever Easter liturgy one attends. This is because the 40-day period of Lent does not include Sundays, which are considered a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.
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It is a time of preparation and penitence
Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, starting on Ash Wednesday. It is a time of penitential preparation, where Christians prepare for the death and resurrection of Christ. This period is symbolic, representing the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry.
Lent is observed as a time of preparation and penitence through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer and fasting are two of the three traditional pillars of Lent, with the third being almsgiving, or the giving of charitable donations. Penitential practices during Lent are intended to strengthen Christians' resistance to temptation and allow them to express remorse for their sins.
Fasting during Lent is a reminder of the strict fasting rules of early centuries, where only one meal was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden. While fasting rules have since been relaxed in Western churches, many Catholics still observe a meatless fast on Fridays during Lent.
Lent is also a time for Christians to commit to fulfilling their baptismal call to maturity, holiness, service, and community. This commitment involves sacrifice, mortification, asceticism, and denial of self-will. Mortification helps to "put to death" the cancer cells of sin, while asceticism brings discipline and responsibility.
Lenten penance is a spiritual practice that turns hearts away from sin and towards God. It is a time of purification and anticipation, where Christians make room for God in their lives. Penance is not about earning God's love or repaying Him for sins, but rather about reconciling with God and living a holy life according to His will.
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Frequently asked questions
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday.
Lent lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays.
The 40-day period signifies the time Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before starting his public ministry.
Ash Wednesday acknowledges Judas Iscariot's plan to deceive Jesus. On this day, some Catholics and other Christians mark their foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross, publicly showing remorse for their sins.
Lent is a period observed by Christians as preparation for Easter, involving fasting and penitence.
