Marthe Ronteix 10:50 a.m., February 14, 2018

Wednesday begins Lent, a very important time in the Catholic calendar. But what is it actually about?

Between the florists' stalls overflowing with bouquets of red roses, the romantic advertisements and the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, it's hard to miss Valentine's Day on Wednesday. But this year, February 14 also marks the first day of Lent for Catholics, a practice often overlooked by agnostics.

When does Lent take place?

Coincidentally with the calendar, in 2018 the start of Lent falls on February 14, i.e. Valentine's Day, dedicated to lovers. But it's not always the case. If Lent necessarily begins on a Wednesday, it is mainly calculated from the date of Easter Sunday. This year falling on April 1st, you have to go back to the previous 40 days (not counting Sundays) to find the date of Ash Wednesday: February 14, 2018. 

Lent ends with Holy Week, the climax of which is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, on the night of Saturday to Sunday. Several specific days punctuate these 40 days, such as Palm Sunday which marks the start of Holy Week. Then come Holy Thursday (which recalls the Last Supper, the last meal taken by Jesus with the apostles), Good Friday (which marks the day on which Christ was crucified), Holy Saturday (the Easter Vigil, vigil during which celebrates the resurrection of Christ) and Easter Sunday which marks the discovery of the empty tomb of Jesus. It is on this occasion that the traditional “Paschal lamb” (which symbolizes Jesus put to death) is enjoyed with the family.

What does it mean?

During this time, Catholics commemorate two events from the Bible. On the one hand the 40 years spent in the desert by the people of Israel between their departure from Egypt and their arrival in the Promised Land, on the other hand the 40 days spent by Christ in the desert. After his baptism, the Gospels record that Jesus fasted among wild beasts and resisted three temptations proposed by Satan.

Through this period of fasting, abstinence and prayer, the aim is to prepare spiritually for the celebrations of Easter, a major event in the liturgical calendar. Etymologically, “Lent” comes from “quadragesima” which means “fortieth” in Latin. 40 is a recurring number in the Catholic religion which designates starting over.

What are the rules?

Perhaps the most well-known aspect of Lent is fasting. Practitioners must eat less and lean or, failing that, deprive themselves of food satisfying their sweet tooth. But before beginning this period of frugality, they must empty their food reserves so that they do not go to waste during these 40 days. It is therefore the opportunity, the day before, to make pancakes, donuts and other delicacies which are devoured during Mardi Gras.

During Lent, it is then recommended to eat only one meal per day and to ensure that it is frugal; some only eat bread or simple foods like rice. They must therefore take advantage of this to devote more time to others. This fast ends during Holy Week which commemorates the Passion of Christ.

Practitioners are also encouraged to make “efforts”, to demonstrate abstinence. This is also the most practiced aspect today. This can mean moving away from televisions, radios and other smartphones, stopping coffee or chocolate or even giving up smoking or drinking alcohol.

Lent is also a time of prayer. It’s about maintaining a dialogue with God. “Pray in the image of Jesus who knew how to take time, escaping the crowd to find it better after his dialogue with the Father,” explains the Catholic Church on its website.

Finally, believers practice this sharing by giving alms, donating what they have in time or money. “What we have saved, we are invited to give to those who fast every day,” the Church further indicates.