Answering Questions About Lent

Before the joyous Easter celebration comes the solemn and prayerful Lenten season. Even the devoutly religious may not know all there is to know about this penitential season. The following are some questions and answers about Lent.

When does Lent occur?

Lent is a period of 40 days preceding Easter Sunday. Since 1969, Lent has begun on Ash Wednesday and has ended on the evening of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Since Sundays are not calculated in that time frame, Lent actually lasts 46 days.

When did Lent begin?

The first Christians approached each Sunday as a celebration of E...