lent

Lent is the season of fasting and penitence that precedes Easter in some branches of Christianity.

It is commonly observed by abstaining from certain things.

The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday, and the last day is Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Since Easter Sunday moves every year, the start of Lent can fall between February 4 and March 10. The end of Lent can fall between March 21 and April 24. Lent is often considered a period of 40 days, but it actually consists of 40 weekdays and 46 days total.

In 2023, Lent will begin on February 22 and end on April 6. In 2024, Lent will begin on February 14 and end on March 28.

The first records of the word Lent come from before 900. It comes from the Old English word læncte, meaning “lengthening (of daylight hours)” (or, less literally, “spring” or “springtime”). Easter itself is tied to the start of springtime, as it falls on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

Christians celebrate Easter as the day of Jesus’s resurrection, and many see Lent as a time to reflect on his death and sacrifice. This often involves fasting and acts of penitence. Most Christians do not fast for the entirety of Lent, but some abstain from something, such as sweets, as an act of self-discipline (meaning they give it up during Lent).

Because Lent is a time of fasting and abstaining, the period leading up to it has become, for some, a time for indulging before the Lenten fast begins. This is especially the case for the Tuesday before Lent begins, which can be called Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) or Shrove Tuesday (which is sometimes called Pancake Day due to the tradition of eating pancakes on that day).

 What are some terms that often get used in discussing Lent?

• Easter
• season
• Ash Wednesday
• Holy Saturday
• fast
• give up
• penitence
• repentance

Lent is known among Christians as a time of fasting and abstaining. For this reason, it is sometimes preceded by a day of indulging, and this tradition has become popular in some places even among non-Christians.

I love this time of year. Leading up to the Lenten season and Easter, it’s always a time for refining. I have a breakthrough in my faith every Lent so I’m excited for this year ❤️

— Ajanaé Dawkins (@MoonsAtDusk) January 15, 2021

Have y’all thought about what y’all are giving up for lent this year? I have never successfully given up something for lent 🙃🙃 but I want to do it right this year!

— Mary, Esq. 🇯🇲 (@Marytheesq) February 4, 2021

Happy Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, and in our area as Paczki Day (Polish).

— Steven J. Kelly (@StJohnsPriest) March 4, 2014

True or False?

The timing of Lent depends on the date of Easter.