Lent (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what Lent is for Christianity, its meaning, origin and symbols. Also, start and end dates.

What is Lent?

Lent is known as a liturgical time established in the Christian calendar and celebrated by the Catholic, Coptic, Orthodox, Anglican and many Protestant Churches (although in their own way). This period consists of a time of penance and spiritual preparation for Easter, which takes place during its previous 40 days (hence its name, coming from the Latin quadragesima).

Lent always starts every Ash Wednesday after Carnival Tuesday. On Ash Wednesday, churches perform the rite of anointing the faithful with a cross of ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that symbolizes the purging of the sins of the previous year.

Similarly, It ends every afternoon on Holy Thursday, three days before Easter Sunday date on which the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples and the washing of his feet at the hands of the prophet are commemorated.

The duration of Lent obeys different biblical and Christian references, such as the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent in the Judean Desert, before undertaking his public mission, but also the 40 days of the universal flood, the 40 years of the march of the people of Israel and the 40 decades of slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt.

Lent is not a time of sorrow, however, but of recollection and reflection. According to the different churches that celebrate it, it is usually commemorated with masses and prayers, as well as a fast from dawn to night, during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, or during the 40 continuous days, in its most recent versions. strict.

Origin of Lent

There are indications that Lent began to be celebrated around the 2nd century or early 3rd century, but In the 4th century it officially became an ecclesiastical practice although he was not part of the First Council of Nicaea in 325.

It was rigorously practiced by candidates for baptism and by those whose sins caused them to lose their place in communion. At that time they had to grieve and repent, wearing rags and being scattered with ashes. But this tradition died around the 9th century, being replaced by the common celebration of the faithful that we know today.

However, throughout its history, Lent underwent many modifications by the Church. For example, the Sundays of the Lenten fast were suppressed, as they were traditionally days of celebration, dedicated to the commemoration of the Lord; and to preserve the figure of 40 days, four more days were then added before the first Sunday.

Symbols of Lent

lent symbols — The color purple represents the robes that Jesus Christ wore during his Calvary.

Lent has different symbols associated with it, some of which have already been mentioned.

The cross of ashes. It represents the “burning” or purging of sins prior to Lent, so that the parishioner is ready and clean for baptism and reunion with Christ.
The color purple. This is the color of the Nazarene, that is, the color of the robes that Jesus Christ wore during his Calvary, and therefore it is associated with penitence and suffering. It is used except on the fourth Sunday, which is replaced by pink, and on Palm Sunday, which is changed by red.
The cross. The universal symbol of Christianity becomes even more prominent during Lent, given that it is about the advent of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem (an event that is properly commemorated during Easter).

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When does Lent begin and when does it end?

As said before, Lent begins every Ash Wednesday and ends every afternoon on Holy Thursday. According to the current calendar, in the coming years these dates will be:

In 2021, Lent begins Wednesday February 17 and ends the Thursday April 1.
In 2022, Lent begins Wednesday March 2 and ends the Thursday April 14.
In 2023, Lent begins Wednesday February 22 and ends the Thursday April 6.
In 2024, Lent begins Wednesday February 14 and ends the Thursday March 28.
In 2025, Lent begins Wednesday March 5 and ends the Thursday April 17.
In 2026, Lent begins Wednesday February 18 and ends the Thursday April 2.
In 2027, Lent begins Wednesday February 10 and ends the Thursday March 25.
In 2028, Lent begins Wednesday February 17 and ends the Thursday April 1.
In 2029, Lent begins Wednesday February 14 and ends the Thursday March 29.
In 2030, Lent begins Wednesday March 6 and ends the Thursday April 18.
In 2031, Lent begins Wednesday February 26 and ends the Thursday April 10.