What is Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving Explained

Lent is traditionally a 40-day observance of fasting and abstinence in preparation for the greatest feast in the Catholic liturgical year, Easter. This year, Lent Begins on March 5th.

The practice of penance during this time dates back to the days of the Apostles. The number 40 is in imitation of the 40 days that Our Lord spent in the desert praying and fasting before beginning His public life. He did this to lead by example. If He, the sinless One, did penance, how much more we who have sinned.

Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise and given bodily punishments for their sin. We share in that punishment for their sin and must also suffer in body for our personal sins. Although sins are forgiven by the absolution of the priest in the Confessional, there still remains temporal punishment to be suffered either here or in Purgatory.

The pillars of Lent are:

Fasting

Even though the Church has drastically relaxed the fasting and abstinence formerly observed, Fridays during Lent still remain as days of abstaining from meat. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are both days of abstinence and fasting which means only one full meal is to be taken on those days.

However, other forms of penance are encouraged. Besides food, drinks, parties, movies, music, television, and other forms of entertainment. Charitable acts consisting in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy can also be performed.

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The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are:

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Visit the imprisoned.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Bury the dead.

It’s worth remembering the words of Saint Augustine: “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, and kindles the true light of chastity.”

Almsgiving

Almsgiving is another form of penance pleasing to God. In the Book of Tobias, Chapter 12: 8&9 we read, “Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold: For Alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and live everlasting.”

Prayer

Use this time of sacrifice for reflection and prayer. It is an opportunity to draw closer to God and seek His guidance. Focus on the spiritual benefits rather than the physical discomfort. Consider involving your family in your fasting and sacrificial efforts, as together you can make a positive impact on those around you. “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)