What is Lent and
how is it Observed?

What is lent? Who observes it? How is it observed? These are simple questions with long answers. If you are new to the Christian faith or a member of a church that does not regularly participate in the season, you may be wondering what is Lent and how it is traditionally observed. The history of Lent goes back to the early days of the Christian Church. Celebrations vary from sect to sect. While some share many of the rules of Catholic Lent, others seem quite different. Here’s a brief summary to help acquaint you with the traditions.

The Importance of the Number 40

The season of Lent is traditionally observed with 40 days of fasting that begin on Ash Wednesday and end at sunrise on Easter Sunday. 40 is a significant number that is referred to frequently throughout the Bible. Moses spent 40 days on Mt Sinai. Elijah spent 40 days and nights walking to Mt Horeb. During Noah’s flood it rained for forty days and forty nights. The Hebrew people spent 40 years traveling to the Promised Land.

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert where he was repeatedly tempted by the devil. It is commonly accepted that he spent forty hours in his tomb before rising, and in the early history of Lent, it was a 40 hour fast that spanned the afternoon of Good Friday and all day on Saturday, with the fast broken on Sunday morning.

Extended Fasting

The rules of Catholic Lent call for a semi-fast, rather than an extended period without food. AmericanCatholic.org sites the following rules regarding lent,

"Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.

Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat."

You can read more about fasting requirements at the following link. The Church's official position concerning penance and abstinence from meat during Lent.

As mentioned before, abstinence is practiced during this time period, as well. It's a time to give up vices such as candy, ice cream, alcohol and you can read more about it at the following link. Lenten Customs - Giving Something Up.

For more great information about what is Lent is and how you should observe it, consult with your priest or minister. You can also check out AmericanCatholic.org at the following FAQ's about Lent. Lent FAQ's at www.AmericanCatholic.org.

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