Guide Note

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is the 40-day liturgical period leading up to Easter. As a time of discipline and penance, many Christians may pray, fast or sacrifice a personal vice during Lent to honor the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).¹

Fast Facts

1. A time of penance and discipline¹
2. Lent was originally called Quadragesima, which means "forty days or fortieth day" in Latin²
3. Observed in the Spring when the days begin to get longer, Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen' ³
4. Purple is associated with mourning and symbolizes the pain and suffering of the crucifixion³
5. Purple is also associated with royalty and symbolizes the celebration of Christ's resurrection and sovereignty³
6. Celebrations before Lent include Carnival, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Fastnacht, Maslenitsa

1. Ash Wednesday: The first day of Lent which may include The Imposition of Ashes, the custom of applying ashes mixed with a small amount of oil to the forehead of worshipers during a service¹
2. Holy Week: The holiest time of the Christian calendar, services recall the final week of the human life of Jesus Christ¹
3. Palm Sunday (The Sunday of the Passion): The first day of Holy Week¹
4. Maundy Thursday: An observation of the Last Supper, including the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the mandate to serve one another in love, occurring during Holy Week¹
5. Good Friday: Commemorates the imprisonment, trial and death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ¹
6. Great Vigil of Easter: The last day of Lent occurs on the Saturday evening of Holy Week¹
7. Easter: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus the first Sunday after the end of Lent