It’s that time of year again when ashes in the shape of crosses are found on foreheads throughout the world to make it the official start of the liturgical season called Lent.
To make this season a bit more bearable, don’t you wish everyone knew these things about Lent?
1. It’s not the fibers in your dryer…that’s “lint”
2. The day immediately preceding Lent is called Fat Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
3. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the last day of feasting before the fast and penitence of Lent
4. It sneaks up on you
5. Lent 2017 lasts from Wednesday, March 1 to Holy Thursday, April 13
6. Sometimes Lent starts on Valentine’s Day (2018)
7. Oh and sometimes after Lent, Easter falls on April Fools’ Day (2018)…seriously, not joking
8.The word Lent is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten, meaning “Spring”
9. Also derived from lenctentid, which literally means “Springtide”
10. Lenctentid is also a word for “March”, the month in which the majority of Lent falls
11. Lent in Latin: Quadragesima: Fortieth
No, not like a 40oz beer…
12. A good Lent requires planning
13. You’ll see lots of violet during Lent
14. Violet symbolizes mourning as we anticipate Christ’s suffering on the cross
15. Violet also symbolizes royalty too celebrating the King of Kings resurrecting from the dead
16. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent
17. That’s not dirt in the shape of the cross on foreheads on Ash Wednesday
18. Ashes come from burnt blessed palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday Mass
19. Easter Sunday date is based on the lunar calendar and Lent starts 40 days before Easter Sunday
20. Lent lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays
21. Sundays are considered “mini” Easter celebrations so they aren’t counted in the 40 days
22. The number “40” has special spiritual significance for preparation (See Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, Matthew 4:2)
23. Menu planning is a cinch…bread and water…Check
24. Fish industry loves Lent…fish sticks and a Fish Fry anyone?
25. Cows and chickens love Lent on Ash Wednesday and Fridays
26. It’s a great time to try out lots of meatless soups and recipes
27. Lent actually has 5 letters…just kidding
28. Lent doesn’t prepare us for the arrival of the Easter Bunny
29. Stations of the Cross…a popular Friday devotion
30. It’s a great time to go to Confession…regularly
31. You can give up something for Lent or add a spiritual practice
32. It’s not too hard
33. Chocolate companies don’t like Lent
34. Candy and coffee companies dread it too
35. It’s not just observed by Catholics
36. Also observed by Christians in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and in some Anabaptist and evangelical churches
37. Some Saints had almost a perpetual Lent
38. The apostles didn’t celebrate Lent, that we know of, probably
39. Fasting before the feast makes Easter so much better
40. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week
Now aren’t you glad everyone knows these things about Lent?
Have a fruitful and blessed Lent!
