Lent

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays and ends of Holy Saturday.

This year's Ash Wednesday is on 25 Feb and Holy Saturday is on 11 Apr.

Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'lecten' which means 'spring'. The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then it became a time of penance by all Christians. Becasue Sundays are always little Easters, the penitential spirit of Lent should be tempered with joyful expectation of the Resurrection.

Sombre colours such as purple or ash grey are used.