The season of Lent developed in the early Church as a way of preparing new members for the sacraments and reception into the church community. The catechumens would pray, fast, and practice almsgiving as a way of showing the community that they understood what it meant to be a Christian, and that they were willing to live the Christian life as best they could. The catechumens looked at the lives of those already baptized in the Church and admired how they lived. In turn the already baptized members made a special effort to live the Christian life authentically.



As time went by and generations of the faithful were brought into the Church at Easter, Lent and its practices changed, too. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving remain an important part of the season. Catechumens still prepare to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. But now the entire community of faith joins them in the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

The Church today asks the faithful to keep Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent as fast days and as days of abstinence from meat. The Church encourages us to pray and to make sacrifices as our way of turning back to God and asking forgiveness for our sins. We join our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to the sacrifice of Jesus so that we can experience the joy of his Resurrection.


Family Activity

	For many centuries, pretzels have been a Lenten food. Because they are made from flour, salt, and water, pretzels made the perfect Lenten food. It is believed that pretzels were first made by monks in monasteries to symbolize their lives of prayer. The loops of the pretzel resemble the arms of a monk at prayer, while the three holes represent the Trinity.

	•		As a Lenten reminder of the importance of prayer, make pretzels together.
	•		Bake the pretzels and enjoy your Lenten snack together.
	•		Or, purchase thick pretzels and share them during a special time together.

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