Single hen

[Scooby]

I know that lent usually lasts for 40 days and nights, which I think therefore means that it finishes Saturday 4th April.

 

I am doubting myself now though because so many people keep telling me that it ends easter saturday. But surely not - easter is so late this year anyway.

 

Who's correct?

[hillfamily]

this might help :D

 

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/lent.html

 

it would appear that lent is 6 1/2 weeks, ending at easter

[Richard T]

The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday and the last day of Lent is Easter Saturday. You don't count Sundays in the 40 days. Although, in the Roman Catholic Church Lent ends at sunset on Maundy Thursday.

 

That Woodlands school website is very good for answers to questions about customs and traditions.

[Ana's flock]

Lent finishes on Easter day, which celebrates the rising of Jesus from the dead - before then it's all about penance, death and suffering and that's what's represented through Lent.

 

Easter was originally Ostara, the Spring Equinox, a time for happiness as the light and joy of spring was being celebrated after the doom and gloom of the dark winter. The Christian tradition reflects this with Jesus as the central figure and his life follows the cycle of the seasons regarding holy days (holidays).

 

(I was brought up as a Christian so I remember most of the theory behind the festivities etc... I'm also very interested in comparative religions.)

[Scooby]

ah - very informative - thanks.

 

I never knew lent didn't include Sundays!

[kitchens]

My grandad gives up alcohol for lent and then gets totally trolleyed on Easter Sunday

[redhotchick]

Two schools of thought, and maybe a few variations, but broadly speaking,

One is that Sundays don't count, but the second and the one that I was brought up with, is that Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, finishes on Palm Sunday and that Holy week is a period of fasting and abstinence in itself, with good Friday being particularly strict! Saturday (for some) is the Easter Vigil, and then Easter Sunday is all about celebration! Hooray!

[Guest]

You are right about both traditions redhotchick - and I follow the second one too. 40 days of Lent followed by 7 days of Holy Week.

 

RichardT - you are talking about Holy Saturday. Easter Saturday is the 7th day after Easter. Apologies, but it is a pet hate of mine!

 

13 days till Easter anyway!

[Richard T]

 

RichardT - you are talking about Holy Saturday. Easter Saturday is the 7th day after Easter. Apologies, but it is a pet hate of mine!

 

 

Sorry Ginette. I never knew that.

[Guest]

Another snippet of trivia for you then Richard!