Nigerian Christians begin Lent with Ash Wednesday

Lent is one of the most significant periods in the Christian liturgical calendar, spanning 40 days—excluding Sundays—of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.

The season reflects the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, a time of sacrifice, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain habits, such as smoking, watching TV, or consuming sweets, chocolate, or coffee.

Others take on spiritual disciplines like increased Bible reading and prayer to strengthen their faith. Strict observers refrain from eating meat on Fridays, often opting for fish instead, as part of their devotion.

In the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday holds special significance. Ashes, made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, are placed on the foreheads of worshippers as a reminder of human mortality with the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The tradition of Lent is rooted in the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which recount how Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, resisting temptation. This period of self-denial and spiritual preparation serves as a way for Christians to mirror His sacrifice and renew their faith as they anticipate the resurrection on Easter Sunday.