Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.

Lent technically lasts for 46 days. The period is a mirror of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting, praying, and being tempted by Satan before he started his public ministry.

This year Lent will begin on February 17(Ash Wednesday) and end on April 3. According to the Christian calendar, a period of 40 days before Easter, is observed as Lent. Lent is a season of preparation and remembrance before the celebrations of Easter. The 40 days of Lent will begin on February 17 and end on April 3.

Sunday: The Celebration of the Resurrection Therefore, when the Church expanded the period of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter from a few days to 40 days (to mirror Christ’s fasting in the desert, before He began His public ministry), Sundays could not be included in the count.

The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through the three pillars of Lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God.

3 Things To Do During Lent

• Give something up. You should always try and give up something you don’t need or something you always do, but isn’t necessary.
• Attend mass and pray. My favorite readings have always been during the Lenten season.
• Set goals for yourself to help those in need.

On the other hand, the word Alleluia is excluded from the Roman liturgy during Lent, often euphemistically referred to during this time as the “A-word”.

During Lent, many people decide to give something up that they love – perhaps chocolate, sweets or even using social media. Others might decide to take up something, like helping out more at home or making an effort to be nicer to their brother or sister.

The Church does not officially promote the concept of ‘cheat days’ during Lent. However, Lent is traditionally considered 40 days long, even though the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter is actually 47 days. So on Sundays, even during Lent, feel free to cut loose and indulge a little bit.

The Calories You’ll Save Giving Up These 10 Foods For Lent

• Soda. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts.
• French Fries. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Glen Giffen.
• Ice Cream. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts.
• Alcohol.
• Fast Food.
• Lattes.
• Meat.
• Chocolate.

Also, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent, adult Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat. During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed.

What to give up for Lent:

• Don’t buy anything that you don’t NEED.
• 2- Throw Away 40 things for 40 days.
• 3- 40 Days of home Organization.
• 4- No Gossiping.
• Work out daily to take care of the body God gave you.
• 6- Don’t Eat After Dinner.
• 7- Give Up Soda for Lent.
• Say 3 Nice Things to Your Spouse & Kids Daily.

Yes. But technically, you are not breaking Lent or the fast on Sundays, because Sundays within Lent are not fast days .

“The Sundays of Lent are certainly part of the Time of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence.” Anne Church in Youngsville, said the count of days in Lent is more about the ‘imitation’ of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert than a literal recreation. And he agrees, Sundays are for rest.

Lent in the New Testament Today, Lent is connected with the 40-day fast that Jesus undergoes (Mark 1:13; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). All three accounts say that Jesus went without food for the 40 days.

This year Lent will run until the week starting Monday 29 March, concluding on Maundy Thursday, after a period of 46 days.

Subtract 46 days from that and you get the first day of Lent, February 17. There you have it! This year, Lent takes place from Wednesday, February 17, to Thursday, April 1, 2021, while Easter takes place on Sunday, April 4.

No, the period of Lent is not recognized as a federal holiday—including both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Actually, the only religious celebration that is observed as a federal holiday during the year is Christmas Day.