When Is Lent 2017? (Start & End Dates); What is the meaning of Lent?

By Edward Leano, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Lent this year starts on March 1, which also marks Ash Wednesday for 2017. The annual tradition ends on Holy Thursday, April 13.

What Is Lent?

Lent is an important annual practice in the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. For Christians, it is a time of self-restraint from food and celebrations. It is a period of self-examination and prayer, and generally following the example of Jesus as he spent 40 days and nights alone in the desert prior to his crucifixion.

Most believers practice fasting and abstinence to some extent, especially giving up a self-indulging habit or luxury to distance themselves from worldly influence. It could be abstaining from habits such as alcohol, smoking or recreational activities like going to the movies and partying. For younger Christians, it could be giving up sweets or using gadgets. Some households may choose to abstain from meat and poultry during meals.

Many Christians also consider Lent to be a time to lend aid to a good cause or do volunteer work. It is also a time to focus on meditation and the study of the scriptures for many believers.

Lent this year will last for 44 days starting March 1. In the Christian year, Sundays are always considered feast days so they are not counted for the 40 days of Lent.

What Is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season. For regions that celebrate the day before, they also have the Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).

During Ash Wednesday, a cross-shaped mark is written in ash on the foreheads of churchgoers. The ash comes from the palms taken from the previous Palm Sunday, which are burned. The cross of ash on one's forehead is a symbol of repentance from sins and reverence for the example set by Jesus.

Start and End Dates of Lent in 2017

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, as has been previously mentioned, and finding out the exact date is pretty straightforward. Take the date for Easter Sunday (April 16 this year), then count six weeks backward. This count will lead to March 5 Sunday for this year, and this is also the first Sunday of Lent. The Wednesday immediately before that marks Ash Wednesday, which is on March 1st.

The end of Lent is even simpler, just take the Thursday before Easter Sunday — that would be April 13 this year.