Questions / Prayer and the Church year

What is Lent?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: What's the Purpose of Lent?, Ascension Presents, published Mar 6, 2019. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Forty days of prayer, fasting and giving, walking with Jesus in the desert. A spiritual reset. CCC 540 CCC 1438

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

The seasons and days of penance in the Church’s year, Lent and every Friday, are intense moments of penitential practice. CCC 1438

Jesus faced temptation in the desert and overcame the tempter for us. CCC 540

Our words

Forty days of praying more, eating less and giving more away. Not to earn anything, but to make room for God.

Watch another on this

Play video: Why Do We Fast and Give Alms During Lent?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 4 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Why do Catholics fast and give alms in Lent?

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 540, 1438 (official text on vatican.va).

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