If you are a Christian, you have likely heard of the celebration of Lent, which began on March 5, 2025 and officially ends on April 17, 2025. The holiday is a religious celebration in which one may fast, focus on prayer or participate in Almsgiving, the practice of donating and showing love to those in need in the weeks leading up to Easter. However, not all of those who believe in Christianity celebrate Lent. Baptists, Amish, Pentecostals and some Methodists and Presbyterians do not participate in the practices of Lent, often believing that since it is not mentioned in the Bible, it is not a practice they must follow. However, some may choose to focus on their individual connection to God, rather than committing to celebrating Lent. Although Lent is considered a Christian practice, some individuals do not align with Christianity and still practice the traditions of Lent.
Lent is a holiday that lasts 40 days, signifying Jesus fasting for 40 days in the desert and resisting the temptations of Satan. The celebration typically lasts from the beginning of March on Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday; however the official end of Lent is on Holy Thursday. Some Christians who celebrate the holiday will continue to pray and fast through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the days before Easter. On Ash Wednesday, a common practice includes getting smeared on the forehead with ash made from blessed palms christened with holy water. Some may even go as far as taking the day off from work, as it is a day of fasting and prayer and the mark of the beginning of Lent. As for Holy Thursday, it marks the end of Lent and represents the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. On this day, people celebrate multiple rituals, such as drinking wine and eating bread, which represent Jesus’ blood and body. Those who celebrate Lent also typically fast every Friday leading up to Easter, including Good Friday. It is tradition for followers 18-59 years old to fast during the day on Good Friday, only eating one full meal and two smaller meals.
“In the Orthodox tradition, for the Great Lent, you would give up all animal products, meaning abstaining from dairy and meat for the whole fast,” FHS senior Gabriel Futsum said. “I think in Catholicism [they abstain from meat and dairy] on Fridays and [on] Ash Wednesday, [while in the Orthodox tradition we fast the] entire[ty of] Lent. And then we also abstain from eating early in the day. So, typically, people [fast as late as] they can.”
One of the common traditions of Lent is restraining oneself from a certain behavior or food. For example, one can give up a bad habit such as procrastination or cussing, or give up a food, such as candy and baked goods. It can be a great way to develop better habits, which can be helpful for some. It can also be a great way for people to practice their religion if they swap out bad habits for religious activities. For example, FHS Senior and student advisor of the Breakthrough Christian Club, MacKenzie Mora, gives up recording music.
“It’s an opportunity for us to show our devotion and love to the Lord, it’s a little more for us to be able to focus more on prayer,” Mora said. “I’m listening to too much recorded music, so I can’t focus as much on prayer. I always turn to that instead of to turn to Jesus. So Lent has the opportunity for me to give that away.”
To sum up, Lent is a valuable tradition that is celebrated by many members of our school’s community. By giving up food and items, one can better connect with God, Jesus and themselves. By obtaining from these things, one can honor and learn the true importance of Jesus‘ sacrifice.
