March 5, 2025
Lent, one of the most sacred periods in the Christian liturgical calendar, commences today with the observance of Ash Wednesday. This 40-day season of penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving will lead Christians worldwide to the celebration of Easter on April 20, 2025. The duration of Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, a time of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual preparation.
On Ash Wednesday, millions of faithful attended church services to receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. These ashes, made from the burnt palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, serve as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the call to repentance. As the ashes are applied, clergy often recite, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return,” underscoring the themes of humility and reflection central to the Lenten season.
Key Dates in Lent 2025:
- Ash Wednesday: March 5
- Palm Sunday: April 13
- Maundy Thursday: April 17
- Good Friday: April 18
- Easter Sunday: April 20
The timing of Lent shifts each year based on the lunar calendar, which determines the date of Easter. In 2025, Easter falls unusually late, making Lent and its associated observances later than in most years. Despite this, Christians worldwide have embraced the season with renewed fervor, dedicating themselves to the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and acts of charity.
Significance of Lenten Practices
Fasting during Lent traditionally involves abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays leading up to Easter. Many Christians also choose to give up personal luxuries or habits, such as sweets, social media, or other comforts, as a form of sacrifice and self-discipline. Alongside fasting, prayer and almsgiving—acts of charity toward those in need—are emphasized as essential practices to deepen one’s faith and commitment to God’s teachings.
Last year, Pope Francis, during his Ash Wednesday homily at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, urged the faithful to use Lent as an opportunity to detach from worldly distractions, particularly the overuse of social media, and to focus on spiritual growth. “Life is not a performance,” the Pope remarked, encouraging believers to seek quiet reflection and authenticity in their faith.
Shared Values Across Faiths
As Lent 2025 unfolds, the season also coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, highlighting shared values between Christianity and Islam. On Sunday, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, emphasized the common belief in one merciful, all-powerful God that unites both faiths. He noted how both Christianity and Islam place great importance on fasting and prayer during their respective holy seasons.
“Whether you are Christian or Muslim, we all believe in one God who is Almighty and merciful,” Cardinal Onaiyekan stated, underscoring the universal call to spiritual renewal and compassion.
As Christians embark on this sacred journey, they are reminded to embrace the disciplines of Lent with sincerity and devotion, preparing their hearts for the profound joy of Easter’s resurrection message. The season serves as a time for introspection, renewal, and a deeper connection with God and humanity.