What is Catholic Lent?

For Catholics, Lent is the 40-day preparation period before Easter. During Lent, many Catholics participate in prayer, sacrifice, good deeds and some form of fasting. Lent lasts 40 days because Jesus Christ fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days before he began preaching publicly.

Modern Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays.The rules for fasting are that, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, observers should abstain from meat and have one full meal with smaller snacks when needed. Observers should not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, and they are encouraged to give up something as a sacrifice.