In 2024 Lent begins on Wednesday 14 February. The Lent dates for 2024 are 14 February – 28 March.
The last day of Lent 2024 is Thursday, 28 March.
When the Lent period ends depends how you count the 40 days as eastern and western churches observe Lent slightly differently. In western churches Sundays are excluded meaning Lent ends on Holy Saturday. Eastern churches include Lent Sundays meaning it ends on Palm Sunday, the Friday before Easter. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.
The word “Lent” comes from the old English, “lencten,” which means “spring.” In Middle English is derived the words, lenten, lente, lent; related to the Dutch, lente, the German, Lenz, also rendered “spring.” In Old German lenzin, lengizin, and lenzo are related words, which probably comes from the same root as “long” and referring to “the lengthening days,” as the earth moves from the winter solstice toward the spring equinox.
40 is a significant number in the Bible:
In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the promised land. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.
Lent 2024 is taking place between 14 February – 28 March.
Some Christians from more orthodox or traditional denominations fast during Lent. They begin with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and give up meat, fish, eggs and more for the 40 day period. Others choose to give up comforts or luxuries such as chocolate, junk food, social media or television.
For many Christians, Lent is a time where they make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love. This collection of Lent scriptures remind us that when we seek God, we will find Him.
For some of us the prospect of 40 days of giving up something can be daunting. This year we’d like to encourage you to take something up instead and form a new habit. That’s why we’re offering you prayer journals to help keep you focused and to encourage you in your faith walk.
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, otherwise known as Ash Wednesday.
Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day where Christians could reflect on the sins they needed to repent of before the Lenten season began. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word ‘Shriven’ meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you’ve done.
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day which comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients before Lent, so that people were ready to fast. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses were eggs and milk, hence why people began combining them with flour to make pancakes.
Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday opens Lent and takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday. It’s chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians mark it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting.
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus’s life. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday which commemorates Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter where Christians remember the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.
Good Friday is the day on which Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Then Easter Sunday is the day on which Jesus rose from his tomb.
You can find more Lent and Easter resources here:
Words by Becca Stanley
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