Lent Explained
What is Lent?
At its core, Lent is a 40-day season of preparation. In the Christian tradition, it is the period of reflection and penance leading up to Easter Sunday.
The word itself comes from the Old English lencten, which literally means “spring” or “the lengthening of days.” Just as we do “spring cleaning” for our homes, Lent is intended to be a spring cleaning for the soul—stripping away habits and distractions to focus on what truly matters.
When Does Lent Start? (2026 Dates)
Lent is a “moveable” season because its dates depend on Easter, which changes every year based on the lunar cycle.
- Start Date:Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026).
- This is the “kick-off” where observers receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of humility and mortality.
- End Date:Holy Thursday (April 2, 2026).
- Liturgically, Lent ends on the evening of Holy Thursday, though most people continue their personal fasts through the following Friday and Saturday.
The Timeline: The “40-Day” Math
If you look at a calendar and count the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, you will find 46 days. So why do we call it the “40 Days of Lent”?
- The Fast: The 40 days represent the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
- The “Sunday Loophole”: In the Christian tradition, every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection. Because Sundays are considered “feast days,” they are not counted in the 40-day tally of penance.
- The Result: 46 calendar days – 6 Sundays = 40 days of fasting.
Key Milestones in the Timeline:
- Ash Wednesday: The beginning.
- Laetare Sunday: The halfway point (the 4th Sunday), meant to provide a “breath of fresh air” during the fast.
- Palm Sunday: The final Sunday, marking the start of Holy Week.
- The Triduum: The “Three Days” (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) that bridge the gap between Lent and Easter.
The History of Lent
Lent didn’t start overnight; it evolved over centuries:
The Early Days (1st–3rd Century)
Initially, there was no “40-day” season. Early Christians usually fasted for only a few days—or at most a week—before Easter. It was a short, intense period of preparation for those about to be baptized.
The Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
This is where the “40 days” became official. The Church leaders wanted a more uniform way to prepare for the most important holiday of the year. They looked to the Bible for the number 40:
- Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days.
- Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai.
- The Great Flood lasted 40 days and nights.
The Middle Ages
In the medieval period, Lent was incredibly strict. People didn’t just give up “chocolate”; they were often forbidden from eating meat, eggs, butter, or milk for the entire 40 days. This is actually why we have Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)—it was the final day to use up all the fat and dairy in the house before the fast began.
How it is Practiced Today
Today, the “rules” are more flexible, focusing on three “Pillars”:
- Fasting: Giving up a luxury or a bad habit to build self-discipline.
- Prayer: Adding a mindful practice to one’s daily routine.
- Almsgiving: Giving to those in need (charity).
Leave a Reply