Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which in 2024 is February 14.
Lent is the liturgical time that precedes the celebration of Easter, in which Christians prepare to commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Lent comes from the Latin quadragésima, which means forty, and refers to the forty days that Jesus fasted in the desert before beginning his public life.
What is Lent?
Lent has a double purpose: on the one hand, it is a time of conversion, repentance for sins and reconciliation with God and with brothers; On the other hand, it is a time of renewal of faith, hope and love, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These three practices are what help us live Lent as a path of following Christ and preparing for Easter.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During these forty days, the Church invites us to reflect on the mystery of our salvation and to renew our baptismal commitment. Lent is also a favorable time to approach the sacrament of confession, to receive God’s forgiveness and experience his mercy.
Lent culminates with Holy Week, which is the most important week of the liturgical year, in which we celebrate the central events of our faith: the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood on Maundy Thursday, the passion and death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday, and his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday
The liturgical color during Lent is purple as a symbol of penance and spiritual preparation. Thus, altars, crosses and religious images are covered with purple veils.
Lenten Practices
Lent is a time of repentance and conversion that culminates in the great celebration of Easter. Christians prepare ourselves through:
- Prayer: Seeking a sincere encounter with God.
- Mortification of the flesh: Giving up certain comforts and pleasures in life.
- Repentance of sins: Reflecting on our actions and seeking reconciliation with others.
- Almsgiving: Practicing generosity toward those in need.
- Simple life and self-denial: Simplifying our way of life and being more humble.
Many Christians commit to fasting or giving up something during Lent, imitating Jesus Christ’s sacrifice in the desert. Each person defines their own “Lent sacrifice.”
Lent is, therefore, a privileged time to deepen our relationship with God and with others, to grow in holiness and to prepare ourselves to joyfully celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death. The Church invites us to take advantage of this time to draw closer to God and his Word, to practice fasting, prayer and almsgiving with generosity and sincerity, and to actively participate in the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week.
