What is Lent?
By Eli Pacheco
Lent is the 40 days (about six weeks) between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday. Lent ends just before Easter Sunday, which marks Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Christians prepare for Easter with:
Almsgiving
Almsgiving is a constant theme in the Gospels, and during Lent, it is magnified. Almsgiving means donating to the poor and partaking in acts of charity.
Fasting
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays are obligatory fasting days in Lent. Catholics should not eat meat on these days.
Prayer
Prayer and reading Scripture can draw us closer to God and the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice. Many wonderful resources – like our Gospel reflection series – can help you deepen your prayer life during Lent.
DID YOU KNOW ...
... that the day before Ash Wednesday is called Shrove Tuesday? You might even hear it called Fat Tuesday. It is a day for confession and indulgence before Lent.
History of Lent season
Historians trace Lent’s genesis to a time after the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It is thought that the first Lent was intended for new Christians. They endured 40 days of fasting, repentance and reflection before baptism on Easter.
The idea grew quickly among churches, but had varied rules by region, even by church. One aspect that drew universal consensus early on was fasting. The rules were strict: one meal a day after 3 p.m., excluding dairy, fish and meat.
Did you know?
... that Pope Gregory I (590-604) regularized Lent as a period of fasting, to begin on a Wednesday, 46 days before Easter? He set the standard for the ceremony of ash and perennial days of celebration each Sunday.
Why Lent is important
During Lent, Catholics devote themselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, serving by giving alms and practicing self-control through fasting. Dive into God's word in Scripture this Lent or pray the rosary with your family.
Where Lent comes from
The Catholic Church provides guidance on how to observe Lent. Specific churches and individuals regard the season in diverse ways. Lent is commonly thought of as a period of sacrifice, but there are ways to observe Lent in addition to fasting. Here are a few ideas:
Focus on gratitude
Pray for people around the world
Random acts of kindness
Reading a Lenten daily devotional
Seek out opportunities to serve
Study scripture
Volunteer
When Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, it begins a season of spiritual purification in which Catholics renew their faith. Here are some ways to observe Lent:
Consider the commandments
Honoring the Sabbath is easy during Lent. If one strives to deepen one's connection with God all week, one can celebrate that connection on Sundays.
See where the Spirit leads
Ask for God’s guidance in your life. Remember, the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness for Satan to tempt him. Our agendas are nothing compared to God’s will.
Look to Lenten scripture
Did you notice how Jesus’ retorts to Satan’s temptations were scripture-based? The greatest answers are there. Search in the Gospels and Psalms for your direction.
When is Lent in 2025?
Lent started on March 5, 2025, with Ash Wednesday. It will last for 46 days (about 1.5 months) -40 days plus Sundays, leading to Easter. This means Holy Saturday will be April 19, 2025.
Lent dates 2025
Ash Wednesday (March 5)
Palm Sunday (April 13)
Holy Monday (April 14)
Holy Wednesday (April 16)
Maundy Thursday (April 17)
Good Friday (April 18)
Holy Saturday (April 19)
Easter Sunday (April 20)
Did you know?
... that violet is Lent’s official color? It symbolizes the mourning of Jesus’s death and a celebration of his resurrection.
Lenten resources
Lent with the Saints: (Daily Reflections) - Recommended reading
Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, wrote inspiring messages to guide you through Lent. Br. Greg touches on concepts such as forgiveness, hope, and repentance. Each day features a scripture reading to deepen your connection in prayer with the most beloved holy people ever.
Among those, you will learn from:
Augustine
Damien of Molokai
Gianna Molla
St. Clare
St. Francis of Assisi
Teresa of Calcutta
Thomas Merton
The book also includes prayers and actions you can take every day during Lent.
Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent
Br. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites readers to allow themselves to be known in Christ for Lent — an excellent companion for anyone’s spiritual journey of growth through the season.
Lent quotes for reflection
Influential figures from within and outside Catholicism have had inspirational things to say about this season. Here are a few prominent ones.
“Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-finding or finger-pointing but because he wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things he now has in store.” — N.T. Wright
“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” — Pope Francis
“God refuses to give up, and we who are enlisted to be fellow workers with God know that the only reason we continue is that death did not have the last word; that Good Friday was not the end of the story.” — Desmond Tutu
Are Lent and Advent the same thing?
No, Lent and Advent are not the same. They are both liturgical seasons, both with violet as their symbolic color. They both prepare us for a holy feast. Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas. Lent comes before Easter.
Also, Lent is a penitential period, while Advent is not. This means Lent is a time of abstinence, fasting and repentance, while Advent is not.
Is Lent like Ramadan?
Both are important times in their respective faiths. However, aside from both including fasting, there are a few other similarities. Muslims observe Ramadan as a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. Followers fast from dawn until dusk every day.
Lent includes certain fasting days (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) during which believers are called upon to refrain from eating meat.