By Rachel Huss, Managing Editor
This year Lent is taking place from March 5th until sundown April 17, 2025. The first day of Lent is known as Ash Wednesday. This is a day for followers of Christ to attend service and renew their spiritual relationship with God. Ashes, usually smeared in the shape of a cross, are placed on the forehead to represent repentance and to initiate the start of personal reflection and fasting. The ashes come from blessed palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
Lent means something different to everyone nowadays. Some people fast from 12 a.m.- 6 p.m. while others choose not to fast at all. In my personal experience, I have never participated in Lent. However, this year, with minimal knowledge, I chose to take my first step in educating myself and practicing a minor amount. For Lent this year, I have committed to praying every night before bed. Alaina Gross, a senior here at Immaculata, has committed to practicing better habits. Ryan D’Angelo, a freshman, has given up eating out during Lent. This is a time of bettering ourselves and bringing us closer to God. We’re asked to remember Jesus’ sacrifice.
Image sourced from Rachel Huss.
Lent ends with the Triduum, beginning with the Last Supper on Good Thursday. Following this is Good Friday, which is the day Jesus was crucified and nailed to the cross. This serves as a reminder and encouragement for us to live our lives for Him. Not all Fridays during Lent are known as Good Friday. However, every Friday is a day of abstinence and remembrance. On Fridays during Lent, Catholics are required to refrain from consuming meat.
Easter always lands on a Sunday because it is the third day from Jesus’ death. Easter is the resurrection of the King and the start of a new season.
Sources:
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/triduum
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/easter https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent
