Lent 2025 has officially begun, and millions of Christians around the world are observing it. The 40-day period of fasting, prayer and reflection represents the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (April 18) are days of fasting, during which Catholics abstain from eating meat during the day’s one full meal, according to the website of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis . During the day, they can eat two smaller meals, which, when combined, do not equal a full meal — but should not eat at other times of those days.
When is the first day of Lent? See 2025 dates for Ash Wednesday, Easter and what they mean…