Many religions, such as Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican Denominations and Roman Catholics across the world observe lent.  Here is a brief history of lent.

Lent, celebrated for forty days was announced by the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), which was the first general council of the Church.

The number forty has a long history in the Bible: the fasts of Moses, Elijah, and particularly, Jesus in the wilderness for forty days.

The observance of the fast was very strict during the early days of the Church. One meal a day was approved, even in that meal, meat and seafood were prohibited. In the 15th century, one meal was eaten at noon.  An additional light meal was approved for the evening.

Canon Law’s new regulation is as follows:

Penitential days and dates of the universal Church are all Fridays throughout the year and the time of Lent (Canon 1250).
Abstinence from consuming meat or other food as recommended by the Bishops’ Conference is to be practiced on Fridays during the year unless there are solemnities; abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ Friday (Canon 1251).

According to Pope Paul VI’s (1966) apostolic constitution, “the law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat. The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening.”

One new statement in the Code of Canon Law states that “pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast (eighteenth year completed) and abstinence (fourteenth year completed) are educated in an authentic sense of penance” (Canon 1252). This clause definitely extends to Marian Catechists who are in a position “in an authentic sense of penance.” to teach young people.

In addition to fasting, many people will give something up as a form of sacrifice during this time of forty days.  Some people give up things that mean a lot to their daily lives, such as sweets, soda, social media, and television.  Another way people practice lent is by doing something to help others like donate time to the hospital, to the homeless, or the animal shelter.    And the third way is to pray more.  Some people read the bible and some read religious books.  All of these ways are great.  This sacrifice is meant to imitate the days Jesus spent in the desert, and they help us to shed bad habits and help us find God.  Will you participate?