LENT SEASON

Lent is a 40-day season during which Christians recall the events leading up to and including Jesus Christ's death, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. Lent is named after an old English phrase that means 'lengthen.'

Lent is a season that many people do not look forward to. Childhood memories of self-indulging in chocolates or sitting through the Stations of the Cross flooded back. Many Christians define Lent as something to be endured rather than as a chance for grace and spiritual growth, using phrases like "sacrifice," "discipline," and "self-denial." The most common and well-known way to celebrate Lent is to give up something you like doing for the course of the season, such as watching television or eating chocolate. Many Christians think that by doing so, they are making a practical sacrifice in order to meditate on the enormity of Christ's suffering on our behalf. 

The season of Lent is defined by prayer, mortification of the body, confession of sins, almsgiving, simplicity of living, and self-denial in order to prepare the believer for Easter. This is a season that we must remember to celebrate with our Lord on a regular basis.