Lent

Lent is a period in the Christian calendar leading up to Holy Week, which culminates in Easter. Lent is traditionally a time when fasting occurred in past times. Today many people 'give up' something for Lent in order to be in a more reflective mood.

About Lent

Lent is a period of 40 days (or more) in the Christian faith that prepares the believer for the Holy Week. During these 40 days the people will prepare for the Death and Resurrection of Christ through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-evaluation. The 40 days represent the time that Jesus spent in the desert where he resisted the temptations of Satan.

The days of Lent are counted differently within the different variations of Christianity. Some faiths, such as the Archdiocese of Milan will not count Sundays as part of the 40 days. They view the six Sundays during Lent as celebration over Jesus’ victories over sin and death.

Most followers begin Lent on Ash Wednesday and end on the Thursday before Easter called Maudy Thursday. Maudy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

Lent is a period of abstinence. In the United States believers will fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. During this fasting people aged 18 or older eat one full meal per day. Small amounts of food, not equaling a full meal, are permitted at the other normal mealtimes during the day. Those between the ages of 14 and 18 must obtain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent.

During the fast meat but milk products, eggs and condiments that contain animal fat are permitted. In other areas a full fasting is observed with abstinence from all animal products. Some do not practice a the traditional fast of meat and believe that the items given up should be a choice made by the individual themselves. In these cases they give up a vice such as a favorite food or activity.

Traditionally the fasting ends on Easter Sunday on which people may begin again everything they had given up during the period of Lent. At the end of the Easter service the priest will bless the eggs, cheese and meats. These items are often consumed after mass in an Easter dinner celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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