Wondering when Lent starts in 2024 or how it's observed? We've got answers and more.

February is here, and that means it’s almost time for Lent.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Lenten season.

What is Lent?

Lent is a period of penance in preparation for Easter, the resurrection of the Lord, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In Western churches, it is a 40-day period of fasting and abstinence that begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Shrove Tuesday, and ends just before Easter Sunday, imitating Jesus Christ’s fast in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. In Eastern churches, Lent begins on the Monday of the seventh week before Easter and ends on the Friday that is nine days before Easter, a 40-day Great Lent that excludes Saturdays and Sundays as fast days, according to Britannica.

The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word “lencten,” meaning “spring” and referring to the lengthening of days, according to Christianity.

When does Lent start in 2024?

The date of Ash Wednesday varies each year and depends on when Easter is observed. As the date of Easter changes annually, Ash Wednesday can be in February or March.

This year in the United States, Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day.

Depending on when you observe the first day of Lent, the Lenten season will either last through Holy Thursday, ending on Thursday, March 28, this year, or last through the Saturday of Easter weekend, ending on Saturday, March 30, this year, according to Christianity.

How is Lent observed?

Ash Wednesday is observed by attending church service to receive ashes on your forehead, typically made by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

The ashes symbolize the sins of everyone, dividing imperfect people from a perfect God and emphasizing each person’s mortality, and serve as a commitment to reflection and spiritual growth during the Lenten Season, according to Cru.

Throughout Lent, fasting can mean giving up any habit, food or activity as a form of self-discipline and spiritual reflection. It is common to abstain from meat on Fridays during the holiday, so a popular practice is to attend a fish fry on the day instead, where observers can enjoy a feast of fish.

Lent is primarily a time for repentance, spiritual renewal and self-examination, preparing the hearts and minds of all for Good Friday and Easter. Many observers attend special church services during Lent to strengthen their relationship with God, according to Christianity.

Aside from Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, the key days of Lent include Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday, commemorating the night before Jesus died when he shared the Passover meal with his closest friends and followers. Good Friday is the day to remember Jesus’ death and reflect on how his sacrifice was on the behalf of all mankind so they can receive God’s forgiveness for their wrongs and sins, according to Cru.

While praying and fasting throughout Lent, another pillar observers of the holiday focus on is giving in honor of the sacrifice Jesus gave for all.

During Lent, it is common to spend time volunteering or donating money. This serves as a way for people to respond to God’s everlasting love and his generosity in giving up his son.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at [email protected].   

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When does Lent start in 2024, what is Lent, Lenten practices and more