Lent is a period of spiritual preparation for Passoverone of the most important celebrations of Catholicism.
He number 40 has an important symbolism in the Bibleassociated with periods of preparation and purification, like the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert
At present, for Catholics it is a spiritual renewal time in which Christians are invited to reflect on your life, practice prayerhe fast and the charity.
Next, we explain When Lent begins in 2025the key dateshis meaning and? practices usually observe Catholic parishioners.
When it starts and when Lent ends 2025
In 2025, Lent will begin Wednesday, March 5known as Ash Wednesday. This date marks the beginning of the penance and conversion time that culminates with Holy Week and Easter.
In 2023, according to a Vatican News article, Pope Francis stood out the invitation to “return to what we really are.” The ash, the Pope said, reminds us who we are and where we come from, it redirects us to the fundamental truth of life, that is, only the Lord is God and we are the work of his hands.
Lent extends for 40 days, Finishing on Thursday, April 17, 2025, just before Good Friday.
What days will cover Lent and Important Activities
- Ash Wednesday (March 5): Start of Lent, where the faithful receive an ash cross on the forehead as a symbol of penance.
- Palm Sunday (April 13): Marks the beginning of Holy Week with the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- Holy Thursday (April 17): Jesus’ last dinner is remembered with his disciples and the institution of the Eucharist.
- Good Friday (April 18): Fasting and abstinence day in which the crucifixion and death of Jesus is commemorated.
- Holy Saturday (April 19): Day of silence and reflection before the celebration of the Pascual vigil.
- Resurrection Sunday (April 20): Culmination of Lent with the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
It may also be interested in reading the following article: Holy Week 2025 Guatemala: Know the key dates.
What does Lent and 7 common practices mean
The word Lent comes from Latin Quadragesimawhich means “forty”, explains the Spanish Language Dictionary (RAE). Symbolizes the 40 days that Jesus Christ fasted in the desert Before starting your Public Ministry.
During Lent, Christians often avoid certain behaviors and practices to focus more on penance, reflection and spiritual improvement.
Some of the things that are avoided include, according to Catholic Bishop Conference of the United States and articles of Vatican News:
- Meat (on Friday of Lent): Many Catholics practice meat abstinence during Lent Fridays as an act of sacrifice and penance. In some places, other foods such as dairy products or alcohol are also avoided, depending on the local tradition.
- Eating in excess: Lent is a time to avoid gluttony, which leads many people to practice fasting or moderate their food consumption.
- Pleasures and vices: During this time, some people refrain from other pleasures such as excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or even certain entertainments that can distract them from their spiritual life (such as excessive use of social networks, video games, etc.).
- Acts of vanity or selfishness: It seeks to avoid attitudes that foster selfishness, vanity or pride, and instead promotes humility, generosity and service to others.
- Festive celebrations: Noisy or mundane celebrations and celebrations are avoided, since Lent is a time of recollection and reflection. This includes the reduction of large parties or celebrations that involve excesses.
- Damous sins or behaviors: During Lent, it is encouraged to avoid sinful or destructive behaviors, such as lie, gossip, anger, resentment and envy, seeking to live with more mercy and forgiveness.
- Excessive use of money in luxuries: Some people choose to limit spending on material and luxurious things, as a way of focusing more on the needs of others and charity acts.
In summary, Lent is a period of renunciation, sacrifice and reflection, where it seeks to improve spiritual life through the abstinence of certain pleasures and habits to get closer to God.
How Lent is determined
The date of the Lent varies every year because it is linked to Easterwhich is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring in the northern hemisphere.
From Resurrection Sunday, 46 days are counted back (including Sundays) to determine Ash Wednesdaywhich marks the beginning of Lent.
How Lent is celebrated in Guatemala
In Guatemala, Lent is one of the most significant religious traditions. The celebrations include:
- Processions and processional courtships: In cities such as Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala City, processions with religious images travel the streets adorned with colorful sawdust carpets.
- Fasting and abstinence: The faithful practice fasting, especially on Fridays, avoiding meat consumption.
- Prayers and viacrucis: Acts of prayer and viacrucis are organized in different parishes and communities.
- Lent Gastronomy: Traditional dishes are prepared such as Biscay to Biscay, Torrejas and Chickpeas in Honey.
Lent in Guatemala is not only a time of spiritual reflection, but also a manifestation of faith and cultural tradition that unites communities.
It is a period of reflection, fasting and prayer that has a deep spiritual meaning. In Guatemala, one lives with fervor through processions, prayers and culinary traditions that reinforce the country’s cultural and religious identity.