When Does Lent Begin? Dates, Significance & Observances
Lent is one of the most significant periods in the Christian calendar, marking a 40-day season of fasting, prayer, and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter Sunday. It is observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and many Protestant denominations as a time for reflection, self-discipline, and repentance.
But when does Lent begin, and how is it observed?
In this article, you will learn:
- The start and end dates of Lent in 2025.
- Why the dates of Lent change each year.
- The meaning and history of Lent.
- How Lent is observed worldwide.
- Answers to the top 10 frequently asked questions.
- A detailed meta description optimized for SEO.
Let’s explore the timing, traditions, and significance of Lent!
When Does Lent Begin and End in 2025?
📅 Lent 2025 begins on Wednesday, March 5 (Ash Wednesday), and ends on Thursday, April 17 (Maundy Thursday).
📌 Key Lent 2025 Dates:
| Event | Date 2025 |
|---|---|
| Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) | March 4 |
| Ash Wednesday (Start of Lent) | March 5 |
| Palm Sunday | April 13 |
| Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) | April 17 |
| Good Friday | April 18 |
| Easter Sunday | April 20 |
🔔 Lent lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays, and ends with Maundy Thursday, the evening before Good Friday.
Why Does the Date of Lent Change Every Year?
📆 Lent is a moveable observance because its dates are linked to Easter, which follows the lunar calendar rather than a fixed date.
How the Dates Are Determined:
1️⃣ Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21).
2️⃣ Lent begins 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 fasting days + 6 Sundays).
📌 Examples of Past and Future Lent Start Dates:
| Year | Ash Wednesday | Easter Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Feb 14 | March 31 |
| 2025 | March 5 | April 20 |
| 2026 | Feb 18 | April 5 |
| 2027 | Feb 10 | March 28 |
Because Easter moves between March 22 and April 25, Lent can begin anytime between February 4 and March 10.
What is the Meaning of Lent?
Lent is a time of self-reflection, repentance, and renewal. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, resisting temptation, and preparing for His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
Key Spiritual Themes of Lent:
✝️ Repentance – A time to seek forgiveness and turn back to God.
🙏 Prayer – Strengthening one’s relationship with God through daily devotion.
🍽️ Fasting & Self-Discipline – Sacrificing food, habits, or luxuries as an act of spiritual dedication.
💖 Almsgiving & Charity – Helping those in need as an expression of love and humility.
How is Lent Observed Around the World?
Lent is observed differently across various Christian traditions and cultures.
1. Roman Catholic Church
✝️ Fasting & Abstinence: Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (one meal, two small meals) and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
🕊️ Confession & Penance: Many Catholics receive sacrament of reconciliation.
🙏 Prayer & Devotion: The Stations of the Cross are prayed weekly.
2. Anglican / Episcopal Church
📖 Ash Wednesday Services: Worshippers receive ashes on their foreheads.
🎶 Lenten Hymns & Readings: A focus on penitential psalms and Gospel readings.
3. Lutheran Church
🕊️ Lenten Midweek Services: Many churches hold special Wednesday services.
🙏 Fasting & Self-Reflection: Personal sacrifices such as giving up luxuries.
4. Protestant & Evangelical Churches
📌 Fasting & Bible Study: Many Protestants choose personal sacrifices for Lent.
🎭 Dramatic Presentations: Passion plays and re-enactments of Christ’s journey.
5. Eastern Orthodox Church
📆 Great Lent Starts on “Clean Monday” (March 3, 2025).
🍽️ Strict Fasting Rules: No meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, or oil on most days.
Top 10 Questions About Lent
1. What is Lent?
Answer: A 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and repentance leading up to Easter.
2. When does Lent start in 2025?
Answer: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (Ash Wednesday).
3. How long does Lent last?
Answer: 40 days (not counting Sundays), ending on Maundy Thursday (April 17, 2025).
4. What is the purpose of Lent?
Answer: To prepare spiritually for Easter by focusing on repentance, self-discipline, and prayer.
5. Why do people give things up for Lent?
Answer: As an act of self-denial, reflecting Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert.
6. What are Catholics required to do during Lent?
Answer:
✅ Fast on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday (one full meal, two small meals).
✅ Abstain from meat on Fridays.
✅ Increase prayer, acts of charity, and penance.
7. Can you eat meat during Lent?
Answer: No meat on Ash Wednesday & Fridays, but fish and seafood are allowed.
8. What happens if you break your Lenten fast?
Answer: It is not a sin, but believers are encouraged to resume their Lenten commitments.
9. How is Lent different from Advent?
Answer: Lent is a time of repentance, while Advent is a season of joyful anticipation before Christmas.
10. Do all Christians observe Lent?
Answer: No, but it is widely observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Protestant denominations.
Final Thoughts: The Meaning and Importance of Lent
Lent is a sacred time of renewal, prayer, and spiritual growth. Whether you observe it through fasting, extra prayer, or acts of kindness, Lent provides an opportunity to draw closer to God and prepare for the joy of Easter.
🙏 “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
🎭 Wishing you a meaningful and blessed Lent! ✝️