When Is Lent 2022? - When Does Lent Start And End This Year?

On February 14 this year, some people will be celebrating a day of love, while others will be commencing the start of a season of prayer and fasting known as Lent. During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, Christians throughout the world take part in rituals to prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter.

According to The Diocese of Paterson Catholic Schools Office, the Lenten season can look a little different depending on the person — some might choose things to give up for Lent, like a certain food or habit, others might opt to do something charitable (also known as almsgiving). One important thing that most of those who observe do, however, is fast. Fasting acts as a form of self-control, "to follow Christ's will more faithfully," states the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

So if you celebrate the season, before you start coloring Easter eggs or making creative basket ideas, you'll want to mark down the dates of the holy time.

When does Lent 2024 start?

Lent begins on Wednesday February 14, 2024 — also known as Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, which is traditionally a somber holiday, a church's priest or pastor will dip their finger into a tray of ashes and spread them on congregants' foreheads in the shape of a cross. While doing this, they'll say, “from dust you came and from dust you will return.” The ashes are made by burning palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday (this year, Palm Sunday falls on March 24).

How long is Lent?

Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays. The fact that it's 40 days has significance. According to Father William Saunders of the Catholic Education Resource Center, "the number 40 has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation ... most importantly, Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:2)."

When does Lent end?

Lent ends three days before Easter Sunday on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The week before Easter Sunday — called Holy Week — is a big deal in the Christian church. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 24, which commemorates Jesus's triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, where he received palm branches at his feet. Then comes Holy Wednesday, which acknowledges Judas's plan to betray Jesus. The day after Holy Wednesday is Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples. Maundy Thursday is the last day of Lent.

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Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years' of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader's Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.

Lilli (she/her) is an editorial intern at Good Housekeeping and a senior undergraduate student at Syracuse University majoring in magazine, news and digital journalism. When she’s not looking into the latest news and trends, she’s seeking her new favorite ice cream flavor or dream travel destination. She has previously covered news at The Daily Orange and The Evening Sun and lifestyle content at The Fit Magazine and Jerk Magazine.