1. How long is Lent?
Lent is 40 days because that is how long Jesus prayed in the desert (Matthew 4:1-2). Forty is also a significant number in the Bible because it signifies renewal. During the great flood, God covered the earth with water for 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12) The Israelites were in the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14:34). Moses was on the mountain for 40 days with God (Exodus 32).
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday. For example, this year, Lent starts on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 and ends on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023. During Lent, we do not count Sundays because Sundays are a mini-Easter. Every Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.
The week before Easter is called Holy Week. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and includes the last few days of Lent, ending on Wednesday. The next day, Holy Thursday, starts the Triduum. Triduum means “three days.” These three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter) are the holiest days of the year, and they celebrate the core of our faith as Catholics, the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. What is the purpose of Lent?
The purpose of Lent is to conform to Christ. We do this by praying, fasting, and giving alms. Praying is something we are called to do every day, anyway. But during Lent, we are called to pray more in terms of time or more intensely. Prayer is about uniting our hearts to the Heart of Jesus. We are also called to fast. Fasting does not have to be food, it could also be fasting from an activity. When we fast, we make more room in our hearts for Christ to dwell with the fullness of His love. We can also offer up our suffering to the Lord to save souls. Thirdly, we are called to give alms. Giving alms does not necessarily need to be giving money, but we could also give our time. Lent is a time to be generous with the gifts God has given us. In giving alms, we are conformed to Christ by building up His Kingdom and serving others.
3. Can you eat meat during Lent?
The short answer is that it depends on the day. According to Canon Law (paragraph 1251), we should abstain from eating meat on all Fridays and Ash Wednesday. This does not apply to just Fridays, during Lent, but all Fridays during the year. The exception is if Friday falls on a solemnity, in which case we can feast, and therefore, eating meat is permissible. We abstain from eating meat because typically in cultures, eating meat is a sign of feasting. On Friday, we remember Christ’s Passion and death. To honor Jesus, we abstain from meat as a way to unite our sufferings to His as we reflect on His Passion.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, we are called not just to abstain from eating meat, but also to fast. This means, at the very least, that we only eat 2 small snacks and 1 full meal. The 2 smaller snacks should not equal one meal. According to Canon Law, (paragraph 1252) those ages 14-59 should participate in fasting. Of course, if you are older or younger, you do not need to fast, but you could fast. Likewise, if you have a medical condition and are unable to fast, you should pray about it and speak to your doctor. If you are a parent and have younger children, they are not bound by the fasting, but they should learn to do penance in another way.
4. Why do we put ashes on our forehead?
When we attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, the priest or the Eucharistic Minister will put ashes on our foreheads. As they put the ashes on our forehead they say, “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This reminds us of our mortality, our need for conversion, and the true purpose of our lives, which is God Himself.
5. What spiritual practices can you do during Lent?
There are many opportunities that the Church offers for greater union with Christ during the Lenten season. Every Friday, your local parish will have the Stations of the Cross. Stations of the Cross are displayed on the wall through a church. On Fridays, during Lent, the priest will lead the community in saying prayers. Don’t worry about memorizing them, typically parishes will have flyers or booklets for you to follow. Confession is a wonderful opportunity to ask God to forgive us of our sins. Going to Confession during Lent, or any time of year is extremely refreshing. The Lord is so merciful. In going to Confession, we also receive more grace not to sin. We can also pray the rosary daily. If you don’t know how to pray the rosary, or you need a refresher, please see an article I had written previous here. You can also read the daily scriptures.
