Lent 2025 Begins On March 5: What You Need To Know
Lent, one of the most significant periods in the Christian liturgical calendar, begins on March 5, 2025, with the observance of Ash Wednesday. This solemn 40-day season, excluding Sundays, is dedicated to penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, ultimately leading to the celebration of Easter on April 20, 2025.
The duration of Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting and praying in the wilderness. During this time, He endured temptation and prepared spiritually for His ministry. Similarly, Christians worldwide observe this period as a time of self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and renewal of faith. By fasting, praying, and giving to the less fortunate, believers seek to draw closer to God and strengthen their relationship with Him.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, and millions of Christians worldwide attend church services to receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. These ashes, made from the burnt palm fronds of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, serve as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the call to repentance. As the clergy apply the ashes, they often recite, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This solemn declaration emphasises the themes of humility and reflection that define the Lenten season.
Key Dates in Lent 2025:
Ash Wednesday: March 5
Palm Sunday: April 13
Maundy Thursday: April 17
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Sunday: April 20
The timing of Lent changes each year because the lunar calendar determines Easter. In 2025, Easter falls later than usual, yet this shift has not lessened the devotion with which Christians worldwide approach the season’s disciplines of fasting, prayer, and charity.
Fasting is a key practice during Lent, with many Christians abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays leading up to Easter. Additionally, many individuals choose to give up certain luxuries, such as sweets, social media, or other personal comforts, as an act of sacrifice and self-discipline.
However, fasting is not just about food. It is also about detaching from worldly distractions to focus on spiritual growth. Pope Francis, during his Ash Wednesday homily at the Basilica of Santa Sabina last year, encouraged believers to use this period to disconnect from excessive social media consumption and instead prioritise inner reflection and authenticity in their faith.
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Apart from fasting, prayer and almsgiving play crucial roles in the Lenten journey. Many Christians take this time to deepen their relationship with God through daily prayers, Bible readings, and meditation. Churches often hold special services, including Stations of the Cross, to help believers meditate on Christ’s suffering and sacrifice.
Almsgiving, or acts of charity, is another vital practice during Lent. Christians are encouraged to help those in need by donating food or money or volunteering their time. These acts of generosity reflect Christ’s teachings on love, compassion, and selflessness.
Fasting is not unique to Christianity; other faiths, including Islam, also observe periods of fasting and prayer. The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, recently emphasised the shared values of Christianity and Islam, particularly the belief in one merciful and all-powerful God. He noted that both faiths practice fasting as a means of spiritual purification and renewal, especially during Ramadan and Lent.
As Lent 2025 unfolds, Christians worldwide are called to observe this sacred season with sincerity and devotion. It is a time to detach from distractions, renew one’s faith, and prepare the heart for the joy of Easter. Through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, believers embark on a meaningful journey of transformation, seeking to grow in faith and love as they reflect on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
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