Lent

The season of Lent is a penitential 40 day period (excluding Sundays) preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday when the faithful are called to receive the sign of the cross in ash on their forehead. Ash is a traditional symbol of penitence and it is administered with the solemn words ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from your sin and be faithful to Christ.’ During this season the church building is made plain. Flowers are not used at all and the liturgical colour is dark purple. During Passiontide, the final part of the season, hangings and paintings and crosses are veiled in purple. Many Christians decide to give up luxuries and give the money saved to a good cause during the Lenten period. It is a disciplined time of preparation, self-denial and personal self examination.