Lent is one of the most sacred seasons in the liturgical year, holding deep significance for Catholics and many other Christians. The word "Lent" comes from the Old English lencten, meaning "springtime," symbolizing both a sacred and seasonal renewal as we transition from the cold of winter to the hope of Easter. In Latin, Lent is called Quadragesima, meaning "fortieth," a reference to the 40 days Christ spent fasting in the desert.

How Lent Is Calculated

Many people wonder why Lent is called a “40-day” season when, on the calendar, it actually lasts about 46 days. The reason lies in how the Church counts the days. While Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, only the fasting days are included. The six Sundays during Lent are considered “mini-Easters” and are not days of fasting, since every Sunday is a celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. This tradition goes back to the early Church, which always saw Sunday as a day of joy rather than penance.

The number 40 is deeply symbolic in Scripture. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning His ministry, and throughout the Bible, 40 represents times of trial, transformation, and preparation. The great flood lasted 40 days and nights, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments. Lent follows this pattern, inviting us into a time of religious renewal as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

How to Prepare for Lent

Getting ready for Lent isn’t just about deciding what to give up at the last minute. Taking some time beforehand to reflect, plan, and involve your loved ones can make the season much more meaningful. Here are some simple ways to prepare so that Ash Wednesday doesn’t catch you off guard.

• Take Time for Personal Reflection – Before Lent begins, pause and think about where you are in your faith journey. Is there something in your life that needs to change? A habit you need to break or a virtue you want to strengthen? Writing in a prayer journal, making a plan for confession, or simply setting aside quiet time for reflection can help you start Lent with a clear heart. Some people like to choose a personal theme for Lent, such as gratitude, patience, or humility, to give their journey a sense of direction. If you prefer something visual, try using a Lenten coloring calendar or another creative tool to track your progress and reflections.
• Be Intentional with Your Lenten Commitments – Once you have a focus, think about the practical side of your Lenten promises. If you are giving something up, be specific. Are you avoiding all sweets or just chocolate? If you are cutting back on social media, will you delete apps, set time limits, or replace scrolling with prayer or reading? If you are adding something, such as daily Scripture or the Rosary, choose a time and routine that fits your lifestyle. You might also consider fasting in a more traditional way, like eating only one simple meal after sunset on certain days, a practice known as the Black Fast. The more realistic and intentional your plan is, the more likely you will stick with it.
• Embrace Silence and Care for Creation – Lent is a great time to step away from distractions and reconnect with what really matters. Carving out moments of silence, whether by turning off your phone, sitting in quiet prayer, or taking a walk without music, can help you hear God's voice more clearly. Another meaningful Lenten practice is taking better care of God's creation. Maybe that means cutting back on waste, using less plastic, or making an effort to be more mindful of the resources you use. These small changes not only serve as acts of discipline but also remind us of our responsibility to care for the world around us.
• Get Your Family or Community Involved – Lent is not just a personal journey; it can also be a time to grow in faith with others. If you have kids, get them involved in simple but meaningful ways, such as making a “Lenten Countdown Calendar” or doing a daily act of kindness together. Families can also explore different Lenten traditions from around the world or find a way to give back to their community. If you are preparing for Lent on your own, consider joining a Lenten study group at your parish or online. Having a support system can help keep you motivated and make the season feel less isolating.

What to Give Up for Lent

Many people default to the same sacrifice each year, while others scramble for a last-minute idea. Pope Francis reminds us that fasting is not just about willpower but about redirecting our hearts toward love—love for God, for others, and for ourselves. Giving up sweets or social media is always an option, but there are other meaningful ways to approach Lent. If negative self-talk is something you struggle with, try replacing criticism with words of encouragement. If you tend to complain, make a conscious effort to focus on gratitude instead. Maybe consider small sacrifices that challenge your daily habits, like skipping the snooze button, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or driving in silence instead of listening to music. Even something as simple as cutting back on single-use plastics can be a way to practice mindfulness and responsibility.

If you’re going through a difficult time or struggling with mental health, Lent doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself. Instead of giving something up, try adding something positive—like making sleep a priority, committing to therapy, or practicing mindfulness. No matter what you choose, the key is to pair your sacrifice with prayer and acts of kindness. Let each moment of discomfort remind you why you’re doing this, and allow Lent to guide you toward an Easter filled with renewed faith, hope, and joy.

The Three Pillars of Lent

The Church encourages three key practices during this season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These aren’t just traditions; they are ways to strengthen your relationship with God and live out His love in daily life.

Prayer

Lent is a powerful time to reconnect with God through prayer. You might try setting aside time each day to read Scripture, pray the Rosary, or simply sit in silence and reflect. Attending daily Mass or meditating on the Stations of the Cross can also deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice. Prayer does not have to be long or complicated. Even pausing for a few moments each morning to ask, “Lord, how can I serve you today?” can help bring a sense of peace and purpose to your day. The goal is to be intentional, allowing prayer to shape your thoughts, actions, and heart.

Fasting

Fasting is not just about self-denial. It is about making space for God. Catholics traditionally fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, but many choose to go further. Giving up coffee, social media, or a favorite snack can be meaningful, but fasting can also mean stepping away from things that distract you from God. Consider fasting from negativity by cutting out gossip or complaining. Try limiting screen time to be more present with loved ones. The purpose of fasting is not to prove self-control but to turn away from things that pull you away from God and toward what truly matters.

Almsgiving

Lent is also a time to care for others. Almsgiving is about generosity, but it does not always mean donating money. It can be giving your time, attention, or compassion to someone in need. You might volunteer at a food pantry, visit a lonely neighbor, or simply be more intentional about helping those around you. If you do save money from fasting, consider donating it to a cause that supports the poor or vulnerable. Almsgiving challenges us to see beyond our own struggles and recognize Christ in those who need our help.

The Symbols of Lent and Their Meaning

Lent is a season with deep biblical roots, and many of its symbols come directly from Scripture and early Church traditions. These symbols help Catholics and other Christians reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection while reinforcing the themes of repentance, sacrifice, and renewal. Some, like ashes and palms, are used in specific liturgical practices, while others, such as violet vestments and pretzels, carry historical and theological significance.

• Ashes: On Ash Wednesday, Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of humility and a reminder of human mortality. The words spoken during the blessing, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return," call us to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and our need for renewal. Ashes symbolize repentance and the beginning of a journey toward transformation, encouraging us to turn away from sin and draw closer to God.
• Palms: The palm branches given out on Palm Sunday recall the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed by crowds who waved palms and hailed Him as their King. This moment of celebration was short-lived, as those same voices later cried out for His crucifixion. Palms serve as a reminder of both human fickleness and Christ’s unwavering love. Many people keep their palms throughout the year as a symbol of faith, and these same palms are later burned to create the ashes for the next Ash Wednesday, linking the cycles of Lent together.
• Violet Vestments: Throughout Lent, priests and deacons wear violet vestments as a sign of penance and humility. The color has long been associated with solemnity and preparation, reminding the faithful that Lent is a time to turn inward, seek forgiveness, and refocus on what truly matters. This visual cue signals that the Church is in a period of reflection, calling believers to do the same in their own lives.
• Pretzels: Few people realize that pretzels have a historical connection to Lent. In the early Church, when fasting rules were stricter, simple breads made of flour, water, and salt were common Lenten foods. The shape of the pretzel, with its crossed arms, was meant to resemble a person in prayer. Even today, pretzels can serve as a small but meaningful reminder of discipline, devotion, and the simplicity of faith.
• The Cross: Above all, the cross stands as the central symbol of Lent. It represents Christ’s suffering, sacrifice, and ultimate victory over sin and death. During Lent, many people take time to reflect more deeply on the meaning of the cross, whether by praying the Stations of the Cross, keeping a crucifix in their home as a focal point for reflection, or simply pausing to acknowledge the weight of Christ’s love. The cross is not just a reminder of pain and sacrifice but a symbol of hope, redemption, and the promise of new life.

Lent Food: Meals and Traditions

During Lent, Catholics follow specific guidelines for fasting and abstinence as a way to practice self-discipline and grow closer to God. The Church requires Catholics 14 years and older to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent. In addition to meat abstinence, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means eating only one full meal, with the option of two smaller meals that together do not equal another full meal. Drinking liquids, including water, coffee, and tea, is allowed and does not break the fast. These rules are meant to encourage reflection and moderation, not to endanger health. Elderly individuals, children, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those with medical conditions that make fasting unsafe are exempt. If someone is unsure about their ability to fast, they are encouraged to speak with a priest for guidance on how to observe Lent in a way that honors both their faith and their well-being.

For many, meatless Fridays are not just about following a rule but about embracing a different approach to meals and community. In some places, fish fries have become a cherished tradition, bringing families and parishes together to share a meal. But meatless meals do not have to revolve around fish. Lent can also be a time to explore new vegetarian dishes, such as hearty vegetable soups, bean-based stews, pasta with simple sauces, and rice or lentil-based meals. Other popular Lenten meals include cheese or vegetable-filled pierogi, eggplant parmesan, stuffed peppers, grilled cheese with tomato soup, and vegetable stir-fries. Many cultures have traditional Lenten dishes, such as Spanish tortilla, Italian pasta e fagioli, or Latin American arepas with cheese. 

How to Celebrate Lent in Daily Life

Lent is more than just a time of fasting and self-denial. It is also a season of renewal, charity, and deepening faith. Incorporating Lenten practices into daily life can transform the season from a weekly observance into a meaningful journey of growth and reflection.

• Attend Lenten Liturgies: Engaging in special liturgies during Lent can deepen faith and create a stronger connection with the Church community. Many parishes offer Lenten missions, retreats, additional opportunities for confession, and the Stations of the Cross. These services provide a dedicated time for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth. Setting aside time to participate in these gatherings allows for a renewed focus on faith, helping Lent become a season of transformation rather than just personal sacrifice.
• Practice Daily Acts of Kindness: Lent is not only a time for personal reflection but also a season to extend love and generosity to others. Small but meaningful gestures, such as calling a friend, writing a letter, or offering to help someone in need, reflect Christ’s compassion and service. Some families create a Lenten kindness calendar, assigning a small act of charity for each day of the season. By focusing on kindness, Lent becomes less about restriction and more about actively living out the values of faith.
• Limit Distractions and Make Time for Prayer: Lent provides an opportunity to step away from distractions and create space for prayer and reflection. Reducing social media use, cutting back on television, or limiting other unnecessary activities can help create a more intentional Lenten experience. Replacing these distractions with Scripture reading, journaling, or learning about the lives of saints allows for a more meaningful connection with faith. Taking time each day for quiet reflection fosters spiritual growth and brings a renewed sense of purpose to the season.
• Encourage Children to Participate: Helping children engage in Lent teaches them the importance of faith, generosity, and self-discipline in a way they can understand. Instead of simply giving up sweets, children can take on acts of kindness, such as sharing with siblings, doing extra chores, or donating part of their allowance to charity. Making Lent an active time of giving rather than just sacrifice helps them see it as a season of love and growth.
• Try a New Spiritual Practice: Lent is a time to deepen faith, and trying a new spiritual practice can make the season more meaningful. Attending Eucharistic Adoration, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or dedicating time to silent prayer can bring fresh insights and strengthen a personal relationship with God. Exploring different forms of prayer allows for spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to faith.

Embracing Lent as a Season of Renewal

Lent is a time to renew faith, deepen prayer, and grow in love for God and others. Through fasting, acts of kindness, and reflection, this season invites a stronger commitment to living out Christ’s teachings. Every sacrifice, no matter how small, becomes an opportunity for transformation and a step toward a more faithful life.

At St. Patrick’s Guild, we are honored to support you on this journey. For over 70 years, we have provided ashes, devotional books, and church supplies to devout Catholics, families preparing for sacraments, and church leaders. Our mission is to help make Lent more than a tradition by offering resources that inspire meaningful growth.

We invite you to explore our selection and reach out if we can assist you in any way. May this Lent be a time of reflection, charity, and deepened faith as you prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter.