What is Lent?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and includes 40 days leading up to the celebration of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday). The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Lent is the primary season of repentance for all Christians, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer. This season of penance, reflection and fasting allowing us to remember what Jesus did for us in preparation to celebrate the Resurrection.
Why Purple?
Dark violet or purple worn by the clergy which adorns the altar and decorations in the church reminds us that we are living 40 days of reflection, penance and working towards spiritual conversion. Purple is associated with mourning and royalty and so anticipates the pain a suffering of Christ in the crucifixion and the coming celebration of His resurrection and sovereignty.
Trivial Fact: Lent is actually 41 days this year of 2020 due to leap year so we have an extra day to deepen our Lenten practices, growing in our relationship with Christ and one another.
-Amy Righi