Lent Season

What is Lent?
• Lent is one of the five liturgical seasons in the
liturgical year.
• The Latin equivalent is quadragesima a word meaning
“forty days”.
• During Lent, Christians meditate on the great Paschal
Mystery -- the salvation God won for us sinners by the
suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is the Biblical meaning for the number
forty?
• In the biblical sense forty is a time of purification and
preparation.
• We read in the Old Testament that it rained forty days
and nights during the Great Flood (Genesis 7:12)
• Moses communed with God on Mount Sinai for forty
days before receiving the Ten Commandments
(Exodus 24:18)
What is the Biblical meaning for the number
forty?
• The people of Israel were forced to wander in the wilderness for
forty years (Numbers 14:33-34)
• The outstanding instances of the number forty in the New
Testament are the account of Christ's ordeal in the desert fasting,
praying, and being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark
1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-13)
• His various appearances to the apostles and others between His
resurrection and ascension during which He strengthened their
faith and prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:3).
When does Lent Begin?
• The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
• Ash Wednesday is so called because on this day ashes
are used to mark Catholics on their foreheads as a sign
of conversion and repentance.
• The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the
blessed palms left over from the previous year.
What is the meaning of the Ashes?

• The ashes act as a reminder that we are

called to die to sin and return to God
wholeheartedly.
• The ashes are a symbol that reminds us that
life is fragile and that one must be ready to
face our creator.
• During the Ash Wednesday service two phrases
or formulas are used to impose (place) the ashes
on the forehead of Catholics.
• These formulas are:
“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”

“You are dust and into dust you shall return.”

•These phrases are invitation to:
1. Repentance
2. Reconciliation
3. Penance
4. Discipleship
How do we prepare spiritually for Lent?

• By letting go of sinful behavior

• By seeking conversion (interior change)
• By practicing Penance
• By following the teachings of Christ.
(Discipleship)
• By practicing the three pillars of Lent.
What are the three pillars of Lent?

•Prayer
•Fasting
•Almsgiving
How can we improve our prayer life during
Lent?
• Increase and improve the quality of your prayer
experience.
• You may do this by dividing your prayer time in three
parts:
A. Morning
B. Afternoon
C. Evening
• Spend 15 to 20 minutes alone, meditating, talking to God.
What is Fasting?
• Fasting is an spiritual exercise.
• Fasting involved the afflicting of one’s soul
through the denial of our wants and desires. Is a
form of spiritual ascetism, self-control
• Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness and
penance.
Lenten Regulations
• All the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Meat may
not be eaten.
• The law of abstinence binds all Catholics fourteen years of
age and older.
• Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of fast. All
Catholics between the ages of 21 and 59 years old are
bound to fast. On days of fast, one full meal and two lesser
meals are allowed.
• Eating between meals is not permitted.
What is Almsgiving?
• Almsgiving is another word for Charity.
• Charity is love in action.
• Charity is a way to reach out to those who are in
need.
• Almsgiving is a form of self-denial, sacrifice on
behalf of others.
What is the climax of the season of Lent?
• The climax of the season of Lent is Holy Week.
• Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends
with the Holy Triddum.
• These days are: Holy Thursday, Good Friday,
Holy Saturday.
How does worship change during Lent?
• Since Lent is a season of penitence, reflection, and
prayer, worship during this time is solemn and
restrained.
• The liturgical color of Lent is purple. Purple is a symbol
of Penance.
• Songs of praise like the Gloria in Excelsis ("Glory in the
highest") and expressions of joy like Alleluia ("Praise
the Lord") are removed from the liturgy until Easter.
How does worship change during Lent?
• During Lent parishes expand the opportunities for
sacramental confession.
• Lent is great time for devotion and personal piety.
This is a great opportunity to pray the stations of
the cross and meditate on the Lord’s passion.
• Lent is a great opportunity to go on a retreat and
recollection.