Q: Why are the forty days called Lent?
A: They are called Lent because that is the Old English word for spring, the season of the year during which they fall. This is something unique to English. In almost all other languages its name is a derivative of the Latin term , or 'the forty days'. Lent is a time in the Church year lasting forthy days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday. It is a period of penance leading up to the joy of Easter.
Words to contemplate throughout Lent: "All things, even humiliation and death, help to save us."
General Lenten Information:
Ways to improve your Lent
The Origin of Lent
The Purpose of Lent according to Monsignor Massimo Camisasca
What should I give up for Lent?
Fasting/abstinence rules
General historical/biblical information (by another blog)
Holy Week
Lenten Customs
Family Customs
40 Ways to Improve your Lent
The Real Presence Association's Suggestions for Lent
Should holy water be removed during Lent?
Book Recommendations
Prayers:
Fat Tuesday Prayer
Ash Wednesday Prayer
General Lent Prayer
Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Crucified
Stational Churches
Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph
Seven Sorrows of Mary
Prayer for Avoiding sin
Lenten Prayer II
Prayer before a Crucifix
Stations of the Cross
Prayer for the Grace of the Passion
Prayer in the Steps of the Passion
Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim
Pope Benedict XVI's words:
The 2007 Lenten theme and message
The 2006 Lenten theme and message
Our journey "in the shadows"
Ash Wednesday Audience
Ash Wednesday:
What is Ash Wednesday and what are the rules of this day?
Ash Wednesday Prayer
Holy Week:
Top Ten Suggestions for Holy Week
Palm Sunday
Monday's Mass readings: Year B
Tuesday's Mass readings: Year B
Wednesday's Mass readings: Year B
Spy Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Good Friday:
Good Friday information
Good Friday Prayer
Pope Benedict XVI's Good Friday service (2006)
Quotations/Letters/Documents:
"The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ"
Cardinal George of Chicago - his Lenten message (2006)
St. Benedict's Words on Lent
St. Leo the Great's Words on Lent
St. Leo the Great's Words on Charity
Advice from the St. Andrew Daily Missal
Scripture:
Isaiah 53:11b-12
Isaiah 53:4-6