Guest guest Posted March 4, 2001 Report Share Posted March 4, 2001 Rita, From a website that I have found to be a good place for religion information http://www.mb-soft.com/believe/index.html " For Christians, Lent is a 40-day penitential period of prayer and fasting that precedes Easter. In the Western church, observance of Lent begins 6 1/2 weeks prior to Easter on Ash Wednesday; (Sundays are excluded). In the Eastern church the period extends over 7 weeks because both Saturdays and Sundays are excluded. Formerly a severe fast was prescribed: only one full meal a day was allowed, and meat, fish, eggs, and milk products were forbidden. Today, however, prayer and works of charity are emphasized. Lent has been observed since the 4th century. " There are probably lots of differences in how Lent is observed between (and among) denominations. Catholics are, I think, more likely than Protestants to give up something for Lent. Protestant churches are likely to have extra services, special devotions, and the like during Lent. I imagine they same is true for Catholics, but I don't know first hand. > > Um -- I ask this sincerely -- what exactly is Lent? I know it involves giving up meat on Fridays, and also giving up something pleasurable for 40 (?) days, but why? When did it start being practiced? - and is it the same for Catholics and Protestants? > > ~Rita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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