Christians worldwide usher in Lent 2025 Wednesday (today), March 5, with the observance of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of a 40-day period of spiritual renewal through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
This sacred season, which excludes Sundays, prepares believers for the celebration of Easter on April 20.
Lent draws its significance from the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness, a time of deep reflection and sacrifice.
In commemoration, many Christians gather in churches on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads.
The ashes, derived from the burned palm fronds of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolize human mortality and the call to repentance.
As the ashes are placed, clergy traditionally recite,“Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return,” reinforcing the season’s emphasis on humility and self-examination, Catholic.com reports.
Key Lenten Dates in 2025
Ash Wednesday: March 5
Palm Sunday: April 13
Maundy Thursday: April 17
Good Friday: April 18
Easter Sunday: April 20
The lunar calendar determines the shifting dates of Easter, making Lent 2025 later than usual.
However, this has not diminished the commitment of believers, who embrace fasting, prayer, and self-discipline with devotion, Michigan Thumb reports.
Fasting during Lent often involves abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays leading up to Easter.
Many also choose to sacrifice personal comforts,such as sweets, social media, or other luxuries, as an act of spiritual discipline, according to The Sun.
Beyond fasting, Lent also encourages prayer and charitable giving, helping believers deepen their faith and commitment to God’s teachings.
Reflecting on the distractions of modern life, Pope Francis, during his Ash Wednesday homily at the Basilica of Santa Sabina last year, urged Christians to use Lent as a time for detachment from worldly distractions, particularly excessive social media use, and to focus on their spiritual journey.
“Life is not a performance,” he reminded the faithful, calling for authenticity and quiet reflection.
As Lent 2025 coincides with Ramadan, the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, emphasized the shared values between Christianity and Islam, particularly their commitment to prayer and fasting.
“Whether you are Christian or Muslim, we all believe in one God who is Almighty and merciful,” he noted, highlighting the common spiritual principles upheld during this sacred time.
As the season unfolds, Christians around the world are invited to embrace its disciplines with sincerity, preparing their hearts for the profound joy of Easter’s resurrection message.
