In 2025, Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, which is Ash Wednesday. This solemn Christian observance lasts for 40 days, echoing Jesus's 40-day fast in the desert.
The Lenten season continues until Holy Thursday (April 17, 2025) when it ends before the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper. While Lent technically spans 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, Sundays are not counted in the 40-day total as they are considered celebration days.
The timing of Lent changes each year because it depends on Easter's date, which is determined by the first full moon following the spring equinox. Following Lent, Easter Sunday in 2025 will fall on April 20.
During Lent, many Christians engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as spiritual preparation for Easter. Some observe traditional practices like receiving ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday as a sign of repentance and mortality.
For those following Orthodox traditions, Great Lent in 2025 begins slightly earlier, on Monday, March 3, following Forgiveness Sunday.
What are the rules for Lent?
Fasting and Abstinence
Who Must Fast
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Catholics aged 18-59 are required to fast unless exempted for health reasons
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Those outside this age range or with health issues, pregnant/nursing mothers are exempt
Fasting Days
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Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2025) and Good Friday (April 18, 2025) are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence
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On these days, only one full meal is permitted, with two smaller meals allowed that together don't equal the full meal
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No snacking between meals on fasting days
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Liquids (water, tea, coffee, juice) are permitted throughout the day
Abstinence Rules
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Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent
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Fish is permitted on days of abstinence
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For Eastern Catholics, abstinence from meat applies on Wednesdays and Fridays, with additional abstinence from eggs and dairy
The Three Pillars of Lent
Lent focuses on three spiritual practices:
Prayer
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Increased prayer and reflection on relationship with God
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Daily prayers, church services, and devotional activities like Stations of the Cross
Fasting
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Beyond obligatory fasting, many Catholics take up additional Lenten sacrifices
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This can include giving up certain foods, activities, or pleasures for the entire 40-day period
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The purpose is to practice self-discipline and create space for God
Almsgiving
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Charitable giving and service to others
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Acts of mercy and generosity toward those in need
Important Dates During Lent 2025
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Ash Wednesday (March 5): Marks the beginning of Lent
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Fridays of Lent: Days of abstinence from meat
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Holy Thursday (April 17): Lent ends and the Holy Triduum begins
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Good Friday (April 18): Commemorates Christ's crucifixion; day of fasting and abstinence
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Holy Saturday (April 19): Final day of Lenten observance
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Easter Sunday (April 20): Celebrates Christ's Resurrection
Remember that these practices are meant to foster spiritual growth through penance, self-discipline, and a deeper connection with God during this sacred season.
What are the 40 days of Lent?
Sundays (March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, and 13) are not counted as part of the 40 days because they are considered "mini-Easters" or days of celebration rather than fasting. Even during Lent, Sundays remain feast days commemorating Christ's resurrection.
The 40-day period symbolizes Jesus's 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry, as well as other biblical 40-day periods like Moses's time on Mount Sinai and the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert.
What is forbidden during Lent?
Food Restrictions
Meat Abstinence
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Catholics 14 years and older must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
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This includes all types of meat from land animals such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and poultry
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Fish and other seafood are permitted on days of abstinence
Fasting Requirements
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Catholics aged 18-59 must fast on Ash Wednesday (March 5) and Good Friday (April 18)
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Fasting means having only one full meal and two smaller meals that together don't equal a full meal
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No snacking between meals is permitted on fasting days
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Liquids (water, tea, coffee, juices) are allowed throughout the day
Orthodox Traditions
For Orthodox Christians (particularly in Ukrainian traditions), the rules can be more stringent:
First Week of Lent
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Complete abstinence from cooked food and oil on Clean Monday (March 3) and several days of the first week
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Only bread, water, salt, raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts are allowed on strict days
Throughout Lent
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All meat and meat products are forbidden
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All dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, butter
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Eggs of all kinds
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Fish is generally prohibited except on specific feast days like Annunciation (April 7) and Palm Sunday (April 13)
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Strong alcoholic beverages (though moderate red wine may be permitted on certain days)
Exemptions
Those exempt from fasting and abstinence rules include:
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Children under the required age (14 for abstinence, 18 for fasting)
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Adults over 59 years old (for fasting)
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Pregnant or nursing mothers
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Those with physical or mental illness
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Anyone whose health would be jeopardized by fasting
Beyond food restrictions, Lent is also a time when many Christians voluntarily give up certain luxuries or pleasures as a form of spiritual discipline and to create more space for prayer and spiritual growth.
Can you eat on Ash Wednesday?
Yes, you can eat on Ash Wednesday, but with specific restrictions. Since Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2025) is one of the two obligatory days of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church, Catholics must follow these rules:
Fasting Rules for Ash Wednesday
For Catholics aged 18-59:
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You are permitted to eat one full meal
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Two smaller meals are allowed (that together don't equal a full meal)
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No snacking between meals is permitted
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Liquids (water, tea, coffee, juices) are allowed throughout the day
Abstinence Requirements
For Catholics aged 14 and older:
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You must abstain from all meat (beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and poultry)
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Acceptable foods include fish, seafood, eggs, dairy products, grains, fruits, and vegetables
Exemptions
The following people are exempt from these requirements:
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Children under the required age (under 14 for abstinence, under 18 for fasting)
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Adults over 59 years old (for fasting)
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Pregnant or nursing mothers
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Those with physical or mental illness
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Anyone whose health would be jeopardized by fasting
While these are the official rules, Ash Wednesday is ultimately about spiritual preparation for Lent. The fasting and abstinence practices are meant to help create space for prayer and reflection as you begin the Lenten journey.
What words Cannot say during Lent?
During Lent, which is currently underway (March 5 - April 19, 2025), there are specific words and phrases that are omitted from the Catholic liturgy to emphasize the penitential nature of the season.
Words Not Said During Lent
The most notable word that cannot be said during Lent is "Alleluia" (or "Hallelujah"). This prohibition is part of the Church's liturgical practice to create a more penitential atmosphere. "Alleluia" comes from the Hebrew "Hallelu-Ya" meaning "Praise the Lord!" and is considered a joyful exclamation that is reserved for more celebratory times.
The Gloria ("Glory to God in the highest") is also not sung or said during Lenten Masses. This hymn of praise is omitted to maintain the solemn, reflective character of the season.
Liturgical Context
These restrictions apply specifically to the liturgy and official church services. The prohibition of "Alleluia" reflects how the forty days of Lent symbolize the forty years that the Israelites wandered in the desert - a time of spiritual dryness and waiting for redemption.
While the Church officially removes these words from the Mass setting, there's some debate about whether "Alleluia" should be avoided in all contexts during Lent. Some Catholics extend this practice to avoid saying it even in conversation or in songs outside of Mass.
Other Liturgical Restrictions
Beyond words, there are other liturgical "no-nos" during Lent:
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Instrumental music with no singing is discouraged
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Decorating the altar with flowers is forbidden (except on Laetare Sunday, Solemnities, and Feasts)
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Emptying holy water fonts is not permitted (though this happens during the Triduum)
These practices help create an atmosphere of spiritual desert that prepares the faithful for the joy of Easter.
What can't I do on Good Friday?
Good Friday (April 18, 2025) has specific restrictions and traditions for Catholics. Here's what you should avoid:
Religious Obligations
Fasting and Abstinence
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You must fast if you're between ages 18-59 and in good health
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You must abstain from all meat if you're 14 or older
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The fast ideally continues until the Easter Vigil as the "paschal fast"
Fasting Rules
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Only one full meal is permitted
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Two smaller meals that together don't exceed the main meal are allowed
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No snacking between meals
Traditional Practices
Many traditional Catholics also observe these customs:
Solemn Atmosphere
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Maintain silence, especially between noon and 3 p.m. (the hours Jesus was on the cross)
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Keep socializing to a minimum
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Some wear black as a sign of mourning
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Some cover mirrors and extinguish candles/lamps
Activities to Avoid
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Entertainment (movies, sporting events, games, etc.)
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Restaurant dining
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Conducting business or working on taxes
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Drinking alcohol
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Gambling, lottery tickets, or casino visits
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Using the internet for pleasure
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Marital relations
Between noon and 3 p.m. is considered especially sacred, with many Catholics drawing curtains, turning off phones and electronic devices, and meditating on Christ's sacrifice.
Those exempt from fasting include pregnant or nursing women, those with physical or mental illness, and those with chronic conditions like diabetes.
What is the original meaning of Lent?
The word "Lent" has linguistic origins completely separate from its religious significance. It comes from the Old English word "lencten," which simply meant "springtime" or "spring". This term derived from the Proto-West Germanic *langatīn, which referred to the "lengthening of days" or "long-days" that occur during spring.
The etymology reveals that "Lent" literally refers to the season when days grow longer. This connection to spring explains why the word evolved in English, while other languages use terms derived from the Latin "quadragesima" (meaning "fortieth" or "forty days"). Related words appear in other Germanic languages, such as German "Lenz" and Dutch "lente," which both mean "springtime".
The religious observance of Lent became associated with this term because Easter was celebrated in late spring, making the preparation period naturally fall during this season. However, the original word had no religious connotation whatsoever until it became connected with the pre-Easter fasting period.
The religious practice itself began a few centuries after Christ's death, with the earliest documented 40-day observance appearing in the Canons of Nicaea around 325 AD. The spiritual practice was modeled after Jesus's 40-day fast in the wilderness, but the name "Lent" simply reflected when this observance occurred in the calendar year rather than its spiritual purpose.
