Lentforty-day liturgical season that initiates the most sacred part of the Christian year

Christians meditate on the great paschal mystery

Lentderived from the Old English

lencten, which means "lengthen."

refers to the lengthening of the daylight hours that occurs in the northern hemisphere as spring approaches

period of transition from late winter to early spring that the season of Lent falls.

WHY DOES LENT LAST

FORTY DAYS?

account of Christ's ordeal in the desert fasting, praying, and being tempted by the devil

Matthew 4:1-11 Mark 1:12-13 Luke 4:1-13

His various appearances to the apostles and others between His resurrection and ascension during which He strengthened their faith and prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3).

WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR FOR LENT?

Purple, the color of royalty, repentance, and self-discipline.

Black, the somber color of mourning and sorrow for sin, is reserved for Good Friday and Ash Wednesday

When does lent begin?

Ash WednesdayPriest applies ashes to the

foreheads of Christians to signify an inner repentance

originally called dies cinerum (day of ashes) is mentioned in the earliest copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary, and probably dates from at least the 8th Century

Ash WednesdayAshes are referred to many

times in the Old Testament as a sign of sorrow, mourning, repentance, and mortality 2 Samuel 13:19Esther 4:1-3Job 42:6Jeremiah 6:26

the pouring of ashes on one's body (and dressing in sackcloth, a very rough material) as an outer manifestation of inner repentance or mourning is an ancient practice"Therefore I despise myself and

repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6).

"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." Matthew 11:21

Where does the ash used during Ash Wednesday come from?

ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned.

the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens[1] (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized), though some churches use ordinary oil

priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall

return. (Gen 3:19) Turn away from sin and be

faithful to the Gospel. (Mark 1:15)

Repent, and hear the good news. (Mark 1:15)

What do Catholics observe during Ash Wednesday?

fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one's transgressions

Roman Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are permitted to consume only one full meal, which may be supplemented by two smaller meals, which together should not equal the full meal.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of abstinence from meat (for those Catholics age 14 and over), as are all Fridays in Lent.