Difference between revisions of "Lent"
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[[Image:Della Francesca Resurrection.jpg|thumb|[[Piero della Francesca]], Resurrection.]] | [[Image:Della Francesca Resurrection.jpg|thumb|[[Piero della Francesca]], Resurrection.]] | ||
| − | '''Lent''' in the [[ | + | '''Lent''' in the [[Catholic]] [[calendar]] is the forty-day period of [[atonement]] and fasting that begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and culminates with Holy Week. Good Friday, the Friday before [[Easter]] Sunday, is an important Holy Day because it marks Christ's death on the cross. This entire holy season commemorates the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His [[baptism]] (by [[John the Baptist]]), see Matthew 4:1-2, culminating in the [[Three Temptations of Christ]] (Matthew 4:3-11). A triumphant celebration of [[Christ]]'s resurrection marks the conclusion of Lent. |
==Traditional Observances and Discipline== | ==Traditional Observances and Discipline== | ||
| − | On Ash Wednesday, [[Catholics]], [[Anglicans]], [[Lutherans]] and members of other Christian denominations place blessed ashes in the shape of a cross on each forehead. During the six-week period of Lent in the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday and Friday fasting consists of three meals, no meat and no snacks between meals. It is expected that each person will increase prayer, alms giving, and give up something dear and of value—or else provide for others out of one's normal routine. This is a sign of unity and sacrifice for the Lord's sake. | + | On Ash Wednesday, [[Catholics]], [[Anglicans]], [[Lutherans]] and members of other Christian denominations place blessed ashes in the shape of a cross on each forehead. During the six-week period of Lent in the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday and Friday fasting consists of three meals, no meat and no snacks between meals. It is expected that each person will increase prayer, alms giving, and give up something dear and of value—or else provide for others out of one's normal routine. This is a sign of unity and sacrifice for the Lord's sake. |
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| + | Lent is set to represent the 40 days of Jesus' fast, but the catholic church also sees all Sundays as days of feasting (in celebration of Jesus' resurrection), and forbids fasting. This means that the 40 days of lent are calculated around Sundays. So, lent is laid out to include six weeks (of six fasting days), and four extra days. Each Sunday is a break from that "fast," as a day of feasting.<ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/how-the-days-of-lent-calculated-542421</ref><ref>https://www.learnreligions.com/fast-on-sundays-during-lent-3970756</ref> | ||
After Lent, these churches start the Octave of Easter recognition. | After Lent, these churches start the Octave of Easter recognition. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2870 | * http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2870 | ||
* http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm | * http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm | ||
[[Category:Christian Rites]] | [[Category:Christian Rites]] | ||
Revision as of 22:43, February 25, 2020
Lent in the Catholic calendar is the forty-day period of atonement and fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with Holy Week. Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, is an important Holy Day because it marks Christ's death on the cross. This entire holy season commemorates the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His baptism (by John the Baptist), see Matthew 4:1-2, culminating in the Three Temptations of Christ (Matthew 4:3-11). A triumphant celebration of Christ's resurrection marks the conclusion of Lent.
Traditional Observances and Discipline
On Ash Wednesday, Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and members of other Christian denominations place blessed ashes in the shape of a cross on each forehead. During the six-week period of Lent in the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday and Friday fasting consists of three meals, no meat and no snacks between meals. It is expected that each person will increase prayer, alms giving, and give up something dear and of value—or else provide for others out of one's normal routine. This is a sign of unity and sacrifice for the Lord's sake.
Lent is set to represent the 40 days of Jesus' fast, but the catholic church also sees all Sundays as days of feasting (in celebration of Jesus' resurrection), and forbids fasting. This means that the 40 days of lent are calculated around Sundays. So, lent is laid out to include six weeks (of six fasting days), and four extra days. Each Sunday is a break from that "fast," as a day of feasting.[1][2]
After Lent, these churches start the Octave of Easter recognition.
Holy Week
Holy Week is the final week of Lent. It begins the Sunday before Easter, called Palm Sunday, on which Christ's welcome into Jerusalem is celebrated. The week concludes with Holy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper. Holy Friday or Good Friday commemorates the passion and death of Christ. Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday celebrate the glorious resurrection of Christ from the dead.