Lent is a sacred time for Catholics, stretching over 40 days and culminating in the joyous celebration of Easter. This penitential season bids the faithful into a journey of renewal and penance, deepening one’s commitment to the way of Christ through prayer and almsgiving.
Ash Wednesday: The Beginning of Repentance
Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5, 2025, marks the start of Lent. It is a day dedicated to repentance and humility, where Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance. The practice of fasting and abstinence starts with it, with the faithful called to reduce consumption to one full meal and two smaller ones.
The rules are clear:
- Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast, while those aged 14 and older must abstain from meat on both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (April 18, 2025).
- Abstinence from meat is also mandatory for all Fridays during Lent.
- Pregnant or nursing women, the sick and those with chronic conditions are excused from fasting, but should still engage in the spirit of penance in ways that align with their health and circumstances.
Fasting during Lent (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, mostly) is not merely about food; it’s about real spiritual discipline and abstaining from distractions and worldly attachments, creating room for a deeper connection to God.
Almsgiving also takes on special meaning during Lent. As St. John Chrysostom famously said, “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life.” It is a reminder that our wealth—be it material, spiritual or temporal—is not solely for us, but should be shared with those in need.
A Time to Renew Baptismal Vows
For the baptized, the forty days offer an opportunity to renew the commitment made at Baptism—to live in Christ’s image, to die to sin, and to rise again in grace. As those who are preparing to enter the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) also anticipate their baptism, the Lenten season serves as a time of mutual preparation for all.
Holy Thursday: The Culmination of the Lenten Journey
Lent is a time of growth and spiritual formation, but it’s also a time to prepare for the ultimate Christian celebration: the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Holy Thursday marks the final day, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist and the beginning of the Easter Triduum. It’s a day of solemn reflection, as well as a reminder of the nourishment He provides through His body and blood.
The entire Lenten season calls for a deeper commitment to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is not a mere ritual to get through, but an opportunity to be transformed—body, mind, and soul. It’s a time to let go of the things that hinder our relationship with God and to embrace the call to be more Christ-like in our actions, thoughts, and words.
