Lent 2022: Start And End Dates For The Period Of Fasting - Metro

After the excitement of Pancake Day, people worldwide begin fasting for Lent – whether through banning a certain foodstuff, curbing a bad habit, or making some other sacrifice.

Christians also mark the start of the period by celebrating Ash Wednesday, with services taking place online this year.

Lent marks the run-up to Easter, so whether you’re religious or not, make sure you start preparing for the spring festival now.

But first – when are the Lent start and end dates in 2022, and what should you give up?

Lent 2022 start and end dates

Lent 2022 begins the day after Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday – which this year falls on March 2.

It lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays because these are seen as holy, celebratory days by Christians.

This means Lent ends on Saturday, April 16 in 2022- the day before Easter Sunday.

The Church of England website explains that Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

On Ash Wednesday, some people visit churches, offer repentance for sins, and have their forehead marked with the ashes of palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday marks the day Christians believe Jesus returned to Jerusalem. The name comes from the story in the Bible, which says he was greeted with crowds waving palm leaves.

What to give up for Lent

Lots of people give up sweet treats for Lent, like sugary drinks, chocolate or ice cream.

If Dry January didn’t work for you, giving up alcohol could be an option, or you could use the period to give vegetarianism a go

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It doesn’t have to be food-based, either. Some people try to avoid gossiping, or bad posture. Making an effort to speak more kindly – or just using that new office chair – for a sustained period could create a habit that lasts a lifetime.

Others set themselves a challenge, blocking social media or a favourite streaming service.

It could be an idea to try something more positive for the Lenten season. Instead of banning items, why not practice self-care: writing in a diary every day, or remembering to drink enough water?

Whether you’re religious or not, the forty-day period is a good time to set a new goal.

Why do we start Lent on a Wednesday?

As Lent is the 40 day period before Easter Sunday, it always falls on a Wednesday.

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There’s no actual mention of Ash Wednesday in the Bible, but the idea of ash comes from the Old Testament phrase ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return’ (Genesis 3:19).

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