The Season of Lent

Lent is a period of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares believers for Easter. Lent holds significant spiritual, theological, and practical importance. It is a period of 40 days, not including Sundays, leading up to Easter, and it begins on Ash Wednesday.

Lent is described as a penitential season that prepares Catholics for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. CCC 540: "By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert."

Remembrance of Jesus' 40 Days in the Desert
Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, facing temptation by Satan. This time is seen as a period of spiritual warfare and growth, teaching Catholics the value of resisting temptation and relying on God.

Preparation for Easter
Easter is the most important feast in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent serves as a time of preparation, allowing believers to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This preparation often involves prayer, repentance, and self-denial.

Abstinence and Fasting
In the Roman Catholic Church, abstinence and fasting are two forms of penance observed during Lent to unite the faithful with Christ's suffering and prepare spiritually for Easter.

Abstinence
What it is: Avoiding meat (flesh from warm-blooded animals, such as beef, pork, chicken, etc.).

Who must observe it: Catholics 14 years and older.

When it applies:


Fasting
What it is: Reducing the amount of food eaten.

Who must observe it: Catholics 18 to 59 years old.

When it applies:


Additional Considerations
Water and necessary medicines do not break the fast.
Those who are pregnant, sick, or have medical conditions are exempt.

Penance and Repentance
Catholics observe Lent as a time for penance and repentance for sins. This is often symbolised through fasting, abstinence from certain foods (such as meat on Fridays), and other acts of self-denial. The idea is to purify and discipline the body and soul to become closer to God.

Lent is a time for repentance and renewal, calling the faithful to conversion. CCC 1438: "The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice."

Almsgiving and Charity
Lent is also a time for almsgiving, where believers are encouraged to perform acts of charity and kindness. This practice stems from the belief in sharing one’s blessings with others, especially those in need, as a way of expressing gratitude for God’s gifts.

Lent includes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as ways of growing in holiness. CCC 1434: "The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving."

Spiritual Growth and Renewal
This period is seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal. Through prayer, reading scripture, and attending church services, Catholics aim to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with God.

Lent has a strong baptismal character, particularly for catechumens (those preparing for Baptism) and for all the faithful to renew their baptismal promises. CCC 1095: "The Church... re-reads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the 'today' of her liturgy. But this also demands that catechesis help the faithful to open themselves to this spiritual understanding of the economy of salvation as the Church’s liturgy reveals it and enables us to live it."

Community and Solidarity
Lent is observed communally, fostering a sense of solidarity among believers. Participating in Lenten practices together, such as attending Mass or Stations of the Cross, enhances the communal aspect of faith and provides support in the journey towards Easter.

Laetare Sunday
Laetare Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a day of joy and encouragement in the middle of the penitential season of Lent, as the Church looks forward to the joy of Easter.

The name "Laetare" comes from the Introit (opening antiphon) of the Mass, which begins with the Latin words:

“Laetare, Jerusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem), from Isaiah 66:10–11.

It serves as a brief pause from the austerity of Lent, offering a glimpse of the joy of Easter. The theme of the readings and prayers emphasizes hope, renewal, and God's mercy.

Liturgical Features: Laetare Sunday is similar to Gaudete Sunday (the Third Sunday of Advent), which also serves as a joyful break in a penitential season. Both Sundays use rose-colored vestments and encourage reflection on the coming of Christ.

The Easter Triduum
The Easter Triduum is the most sacred and central liturgical celebration in the Roman Catholic Church, commemorating the Paschal Mystery—the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It spans three days, beginning with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and concluding with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.

1. Holy Thursday – The Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Marks the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood at the Last Supper.

The washing of feet (Mandatum) signifies Christ’s call to service and humility.
The Mass concludes with the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by silent adoration.
The altar is stripped, symbolising Christ’s impending passion.

2. Good Friday – The Passion of the Lord
A solemn day of fasting and abstinence.

There is no Mass; instead, a Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion take place.
The Passion according to Saint John is proclaimed.
The cross is venerated, acknowledging Christ’s sacrificial love.

3. Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil
The Church waits in silence at the tomb of Christ.

The Easter Vigil begins after sunset with:
4. Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of the Lord
The culmination of the Triduum, celebrating Christ’s triumph over sin and death.
The Gloria and Alleluia return, marking the joy of the Resurrection.
The faithful renew their baptismal promises.

The Triduum is a single liturgical event spread over three days, inviting Catholics into deep contemplation and participation in the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection—the heart of the Christian faith.
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