What is Lent?

Lent is the period of six weeks (40 days not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.

In 2025 Lent begins on Wednesday 5 March and ends on Thursday 17 April.

Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. Lent is observed in spring, when the days begin to get longer.

Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God.

Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist.

Lent allows Christians to remember Jesus's fasting in the desert.

It is a time of giving things up and a test of self-discipline.

There are many foods that some Christians do not eat in Lent, such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods.

Some Christians just give up something they really enjoy, such as cakes or chocolate.

In western Christian churches, the day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday. This is also known as Pancake Day. This day was traditionally the last chance to use up the foods Christians would not be eating during Lent.

On Ash Wednesday many Christian churches hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes.

This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong-doing.

Have a look at the thinking points below. You can discuss them with somebody else if you want to. There are no right or wrong answers so remember to be respectful if somebody else has a different thought or opinion.

1. Why do you think Christians take time to think deeply about their faith during Lent? How can it help them?
2. During Lent, Christians pray, fast and help others. How do you think this helps them to think more about others?
3. Christians believe praying can help people with their problems. What are your thoughts about prayer when we are in trouble?

Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a simple meal that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour.

Shrove comes from the verb 'to shrive' which means to confess sins.