Lent recalls the time when Jesus spent forty days in the desert. It was a time of fasting, temptation, and prayer. It was also a period of intense preparation for the ministry he was about to undertake. We spend forty days in anticipation of Easter. We use this time to look inward—to examine what is keeping us from a closer relationship with God.



The customs of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, have evolved over the centuries. In the fourth century, sinners wore ashes as a public sign of having committed a serious sin, such as murder, heresy, or adultery. There sinners were temporarily expelled from the Church and welcomed back only after they had completed a penance.

By the seventh century, Ash Wednesday rituals displayed sinners wearing sackcloth and ashes as penance. They were separated from their families during Lent and not allowed to bathe, cut their hair, or speak. On Holy Thursday they were absolved of their sins and could return to their families.

Around the eleventh century, our present Ash Wednesday ritual developed. Tracing the Sign of the Cross on our foreheads with ashes symbolizes the beginning of the holy season of Lent, a time when we reflect on our attitudes and actions and pray for a change of heart.


Family Activity

	During Lent, Jesus’ cross is the most important sign because it reminds us that we belong to Jesus Christ and the Christian community. Make a cross for someone important to your family to remind them of Jesus’ love for them.

	•		Provide a variety of art materials, including craft sticks and fabric scraps.
	•		Help as needed gluing or taping together two craft sticks to make a cross shape. Suggest ways to decorate the cross.
	•		Plan to give the cross to this special person together as a family.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.