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As a season, Lent was originally a period of preparation
for Easter baptism. During
this time of instruction, the catechumen fasted and prayed.
The climax came in the all-night vigil of
Easter. Even with baptism
and confirmation and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.
Lent is named after the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, referring
to the time of year when the days "lengthen" with the coming
of spring.
At a later time all church members joined in making Lent
a penitential season of mourning for sin. As time went on more
interest was shown in the trials and sufferings of Jesus than
in anticipating his victorious Resurrection.
The forty week-days of Lent represent the period which Jesus
spent in the wilderness during his Temptations. According to
Matthew and Luke he fasted for forty days. The symbolism of
Lent, aside from Holy Week, centers
on sin, temptation and penitence. Lent's liturgical color, violet,
stands for penitence.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of
Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which
prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on
Easter Day, through which
we attain redemption. Following the example of the Nine Levites,
who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked
with ashes to humble our hearts and remind us that life passes
away on Earth. We remember this when we are told, "Remember,
Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."
Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing
of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility
and sacrifice. The ashes are made from the palms used in the
Palm Sunday celebration of the previous
year. The ashes are a reminder that God is gracious and merciful
to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His divine mercy
is of utmost importance during the season of
Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek
that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection,
prayer and penance.
Palm Sunday is celebrated on
the Sunday before Easter marking the triumphant entry of Jesus
into the city of Jerusalem before his Passion.
Holy Week
is the final week of the season of Lent, which ends with
Easter
Day.
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