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1©2020 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Lent

A short guide for primary

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What is Lent?

Lent is a period of 40 days in the Christian calendar, not

including Sundays.

Christians use this time think about the 40 days that

Jesus spent fasting. Fasting means not eating or eating

less food.

It is a time for Christians to think about their sins and

reflect on their behaviour and God’s love for them as they

prepare for Easter.

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When is Lent celebrated?

Lent starts on the 7th Wednesday before Easter Day (called Ash Wednesday).

Lent ends with Holy Week, in which we commemorate the last week of Jesus’ earthly life.

Lent is observed across 40 days.

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Why 40 days?

The number 40 is important in Christian texts:

• The flood which destroys the world came after 40 days and nights of rain

• Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai

• The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them

by God.

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How is Lent celebrated?

Christians mark the season of Lent with an increase in prayer and worship, such as the Stations of the Cross.

Christians mark Lent by fasting, both from food and festivities.

Some people use this time to ‘give up’ treats such as chocolate, while in recent years, people are opting to ‘take up’ something such as extra Bible reading, prayer times or helping at a homeless shelter. There are also services of penitence, where Christians examine their lives and may talk to a priest in confession.

Learning

You may see the

colour purple in lots

of churches during

Lent, although you

wouldn’t see this at

Westminster

Abbey.

Purple is a colour

of mourning and

sorrow. It reminds

Christians of the

suffering of the

crucifixion.

It is also a royal

colour, celebrating

Christ’s

resurrection and

sovereignty.

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Shrove Tuesday

Christians call the day before Lent begins

Shrove Tuesday.

Many Christians want to fast like Jesus did

in the desert. Traditionally the Tuesday

before Ash Wednesday was the time to use

up foods such as eggs, fats and milk.

People often make pancakes on Shrove

Tuesday as the recipe contains eggs, fats

and milk.

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Key Holy Days: Ash Wednesday

Lent begins on a day called Ash Wednesday.

Christians think about the sins of the previous year and say sorry for them. They believe that

Jesus will forgive their sins.

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During an Ash Wednesday service,

Christians will be marked with a cross

of ashes on their forehead. This

represents the fact that we all live and

die. Ash reminds Christians of their

created humanity and that the living

and dead are united as one family.

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Key Holy Days: Mothering Sunday

Each Sunday during Lent is celebrated

in church with a special service.

Mothering Sunday, as it is popularly

known, is the fourth Sunday of Lent and

is often used to celebrate mothers and

care givers.

Today, also knows as Mother’s Day,

people often celebrate their mothers by

giving a card and gifts.

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Lent in the Bible

It may seem odd but the word ‘Lent’ is not mentioned in

the Bible.

Instead it is a term used to cover the period of Jesus’

time in the wilderness.

Learning

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness

forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels

attended him.

Mark 1: 12-13

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Marking Lent at Westminster Abbey

Lent is a significant time at Westminster Abbey when we welcome thousands of worshipers

to our services.

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Where can I find more information?

You can find out more information about Lent by clicking on the link below and watching the video:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztkxpv4/articles/z77jf4j

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