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Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter. When counting the day, Sundays are not included in the count. The last week of Lent begins with Palm Sunday, which celebrates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and the people lay down palms at his feet.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. Before Lent folks often kick it off with Fat Tuesday, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday. The parties and parades will continue until Lent begins at midnight on Tuesday and kicks off Mardi Gras and Carnival.

Fat Tuesday is basically “last call” before the expected reflection and abstinence of the Christian Lenten traditions. This is a long held tradition. As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes & general good times.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on 9 April, Holy Thursday.

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