What is Lent and why do people give up things that they like?

Lent has started, and Catholics worldwide are participating in one of the most important traditions of the faith.

The origins of Lent

The period of Lent starts forty days before Easter and is a time for mourning, where believers often give up comfort in their lives as a symbol of their dedication to their faith. Additionally, during Lent, certain rules limit one’s consumption even further. For example, no meat should be consumed on Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, and Fridays during Lent. All members of the Latin Catholic Church who are 14 years old or older are required to abstain from eating meat on those days.

Additionally, on these days, those between 18 and 59 are obliged to fast if they are members of the Latin Catholic Church. “When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal,” describes the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’.

What is traditionally given up for Lent?

During the period of Lent, many Catholics choose to give up a vice such as alcohol, smoking, junk food or watching TV. This period is intended to bring them closer to God by commemorating Christ’s time in the desert without access to many of the comforts of life. While the Church encourages giving up certain comforts, it does not regulate the practice and rather leaves it to each person’s individual conscience.

When will Lent take place in 2026?

Lent is a religious observance that takes place on different dates each year due to changes in the religious calendar. However, in 2026, the period will occur earlier, starting on Feb. 18 and ending on April 2, as it did in 2024.