LENT

The Season of Lent

1. What is Lent?

Lent is a liturgical season of almost forty days which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church's liturgical year, reflecting the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer. [glossary, 540, 1095, 1438].

2. How did Lent originate?

Lent is associated with the transition from winter to spring. In the second century it was a two day fast, in the third century it was a fast during Holy Week, and in the forth century a long preparation began. In early centuries the season of Lent evolved around the theme of preparing unbaptized catechumens to join the Church at Easter. [1233, 1248].

3. What are some characteristics of Lent?

The faithful fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and they abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent. All alleluias are omitted from the liturgy. The penitential color of purple is used for the priest's vestments during the liturgy. Sundays are not included in Lent. In some communities Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a celebration day before the start of Lent. Ashes are distributed in Church on Ash Wednesday to remind the faithful that they came from dust, and will return to dust at death. A popular devotion during Lent is the Stations of the Cross. Penitential rites with time for Confession are customarily held in various Churches toward the end of Lent. [2043].

The Number of Days in Lent

4. What is the significance of the number 40?

The Latin word for Lent is Quadragesima which means 40th. Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, Noah spent 40 days in the ark before he opened the porthole to send out the raven, Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai, the prophet Elijah fasted for 40 days on the journey to Mt. Hebron, and the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert on the way to the promised land. [1094].

5. How is the number of days of Lent counted?

Prior to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), Lent lasted for forty days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Saturday, not counting the six Sundays. Now the three Easter Triduum days are no longer considered a part of Lent, so the season lasts for 37 days, again not counting the Sundays.

6. What is the Easter Triduum?

A triduum is a liturgical celebration of three days duration. The Easter Triduum consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday. [glossary, 1168].