Lent

Lent derives from the Old English word Lencten, which simply means the season of spring.

The literal interpretation is the “lengthening” of the days as spring begins.

It is that time of year when, in the Northern Hemisphere, snows melt, the light returns and new foliage begins to bloom and nature is alive again. The winter sleep is ended.

Just as nature awakens to growth and new life, each Lent issues a renewed invitation to us to awaken to the mystery of life and the mystery of God.

In the Catholic Church Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, hospitality, kindness, unselfishness and charity that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection at Easter and represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the devil’s temptations and preparing to begin his ministry.

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Lent

Lent derives from the Old English word Lencten, which simply means the season of spring.

The literal interpretation is the “lengthening” of the days as spring begins.

It is that time of year when, in the Northern Hemisphere, snows melt, the light returns and new foliage begins to bloom and nature is alive again. The winter sleep is ended.

Just as nature awakens to growth and new life, each Lent issues a renewed invitation to us to awaken to the mystery of life and the mystery of God.