On Ash Wednesday, March 9th this year, Catholics begin the forty-day season called Lent which precedes the celebration of Easter, Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Below are some answers to common questions about the Lenten Season.

• Why do Christians receive ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday?
  As Pope John Paul II wrote on Ash Wednesday, 2003, "The Christian community listens to this vigorous invitation to conversion as it gets ready to undertake the Lenten journey that begins with the ancient rite of the imposition of ashes  . . . Receiving the ashes on the head, means recognizing that we are creatures, made of earth and destined to return to it; it also means proclaiming that we are sinners, in need of God's pardon in order to be able to live according to the Gospel; finally, it means reviving our hope in the definitive encounter with Christ in the glory and peace of Heaven."
  
  
• Why is this season called "Lent?"
  Lent is an old English word meaning 'lengthen'.  Lent is observed in spring, when the days begin to get longer.
  
  
• Why is the season of Lent 40 days long? 
  The number 40 is a symbolic number in Salvation History:
  • The rains that flooded the earth in the time of Noah lasted for forty days and forty nights, and symbolized the cleansing of the sin of the earth.  For Christians, it also prefigures the cleansing and renewing waters of Baptism. 
  • During the time of Moses, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years in their journey to the Promised Land.  Moses also fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments.
  • The prophet Jonah was sent to the land of his enemies, the Ninevites, to proclaim to the people there, “Forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed.”  The people of Nineveh, including the king, heeded the warning of Jonah, put on sack cloth and ashes, and repented. 
  • Jesus himself ventured out into the desert where he fasted and was tempted by Satan for 40 days.  He returned from his desert experience to be baptized by John, and to begin his public ministry.

In this same way, we are called to enter into the “spiritual desert” of Lent, to begin a period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and so to renew and transform ourselves so as to better fulfill our call to holiness. 

• Why is purple the color associated with Lent? 
  Purple is the symbolic color used in some churches throughout Lent for priestly vestments and altar linens.  Purple is used for two reasons: first, because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, as well as the pain and suffering in the world caused by sin and division, and second, because purple is the color associated with royalty, and celebrates Christ's resurrection and sovereignty. 
  
  
• What are some ways to celebrate the season of Lent? 
  Actively participating in the faith life of your worshiping community is always a fitting way to enter into the Lenten Season (or any season).  Traditional Lenten observances also include prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Some examples of these might be:
  • Prayer: Utilize the Lenten Reflection book provided by the Office of Campus Ministry.  Read the Bible, or just spend some quiet time with God. 
  • Fasting: “Fast” from negative thoughts, jealousy or anger.  If you choose to fast from food, or some other good, donate the money you would have spent on that meal or good to a soup kitchen or some other charity.  Fast from those negative behaviors that hinder your relationship with God and others. 
  • Almsgiving: Give of your time, talents, and treasure to help those around you; not for recognition or reward, but out of a sense of gratitude for the many gifts we have received, and in response to the love of God in our lives.