The Christian Holy Days of Lent: From Ash Wednesday to Holy Week

Apr 7, 2011
Mark Tibbits

Ash Wednesday, the Start of Lent - Cliff

Lent is a period of fasting that precedes Easter, when Christians prepare for the commemoration of Jesus's death and resurrection during Holy Week.

Lent, or "Great Lent", is the period before Easter that is used by Christians as a time to prepare themselves for the most important commemorations of the Christian year: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during Holy Week. These preparations include fasting, repentance, and spiritual discipline.

Most Christians observe the Lenten fast from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday, the last day of Holy Week. This is a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays), the same length of time as the fasts practiced by Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, which are all reported in the Bible as 40 days, a number used to mean a long time.

Eastern Orthodox Christians observe Lent for the 6 weeks or 40 days that precede Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.

Fasting for Lent

According to americancatholic.org, the Catholic Code of Canon Law was amended in 1983 to reflect changes made by Pope Paul VI in 1966. It states that Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 must fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. Additionally, all Catholics aged 14 and older must not eat meat on Ash Wednesday, on Good Friday, and on all the six Fridays that fall in Lent.

Many people, not just Christians, choose to abstain from a particular food or drink during Lent. Common choices are chocolate, alcohol, tobacco, and meat.

Many people also choose to abstain from a favorite or pleasurable activity during lent, such as cinema attendance, computer games, or watching certain television programs.

Meaning of Lent

The name "Lent" is believed to be derived from the Saxon work "lengten-tide" which means the lengthening of the days and the arrival of Spring.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. The name "Ash Wednesday" is derived from the religious ceremony where ashes are placed on the foreheads of the worshipers as a sign of repentance.

Holy Week

Holy Week, which is the last week of Lent, runs from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday. Holy Week includes the holy days of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The week ends on the evening of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil Mass which is held at or just before midnight.

Holy Week is the most solemn week of the Christian year. During the week, Christians spend time commemorating Jesus's suffering and death in the last week of his life and focusing on their wider Christian beliefs.

Lent Calendar

Many Christians use a Lent Calendar to guide them through the period. Lent Calendars typical contain scripture readings, prayers, and other guidance for Christians to follow on each day of Lent.