The observance marks the start of lent, the season leading up to Easter; it's is one of five key periods on the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Ordinary ...

There are two main ways that Catholics use to focus on growing closer to God during the Lenten season: abstinence and fasting. Abstinence is the act of “doing without” or avoiding something.

During Lent, Christians engage in fasting, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines as a way of preparing for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The ashes on the ...

Which Christian Denominations Traditionally Observe Lent? Lent is observed by churches that follow a liturgical calendar with special services and holidays celebrated every year on particular days. It ...

Marking the first day of the Lenten season, Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5 and ends on Thursday, April 17.

Ash Wednesday – also known as the Day of Ashes – is a day of repentance and fasting, when Christians, especially Catholics, confess their sins and profess their devotion to God. For Roman ...

The season, including Ash Wednesday, is a time for penance, charity and fasting for many Christians, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. USA Today adds that during Lent ...