What is Lent?

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.

Our English word “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. Lent is a season of spiritual renewal and preparation. Lent is to Easter

what Advent is to Christmas. Lent is a time to focus on the hope of Jesus Christ through his death on the Cross and his Resurrection.

Originally, Lent was a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts to Christianity. Overtime, Lent evolved into a time of spiritual reflection, repentance, and self-denial by Christians.

Nowadays, many Christians (both Catholic and Protestant) prepare for the celebration of Easter through Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, and giving to others. These activities help Christ followers to focus upon on what Jesus did for us and experience spiritual renewal.

Please see our Lenten Spiritual Renewal Guide to learn how you can join us in observing Lent and experience spiritual transformation and renewal.