WHAT IS LENT?

 

WHAT IS LENT? Begins February 18, 2026 and Ends before Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 Lent is a 40-day, reflective Christian season of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, and concluding on the Saturday before Easter (April 5, 2026). Lent prepares believers for Easter by recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness; focusing on repentance, self-examination, and spiritual discipline. KEY ASPECTS OF LENT DURATION: 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. SIGNIFICANCE: A time to repent, reflect, and prepare for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. FASTING/ABSTINENCE: In the Latin Catholic tradition, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory fast days and days of abstinence from meat. COMMON PRACTICES: FASTING & SACRIFICE: Giving up luxuries, habits, or specific foods. PRAYER: Deepening spiritual life, attending extra services, or Stations of the Cross. ALMS-GIVING: Donating to charity or helping those in need. REFLECTION: Bible study and self-examination. ORIGINS: The name comes from the Old English lencten, meaning spring. Lent is observed by many Christian denominations, and is an admirable discipline for any who wish to participate. (Sources are partially from Google AI and the United Methodist Church.)