Understanding Lent and Key Dates Leading to Easter 2025
HOLIDAY, USA — As Lent progresses, millions of Christians worldwide are observing this weeks-long spring tradition, which culminates in the celebration of Easter. This year, Lent began on March 5, 2025, and the observances will end on Holy Thursday, April 17.
Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection that prepares believers for Easter Sunday, which this year falls on April 20. This solemn observance imitates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert prior to commencing his public ministry. Sundays are not counted within the 40 days, as they are traditionally seen as days of celebration.
Many Christians choose to give up certain luxuries during Lent, including sweets, specific foods, social media, or alcohol. Others adopt new spiritual disciplines, such as daily prayer or acts of charity. The goal is to practice self-discipline and spiritual growth.
A significant part of Lent involves dietary restrictions, particularly the abstention from eating flesh meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays throughout the season. Flesh meat includes beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. However, fish is an acceptable alternative, with many choosing to replace their regular meals with fish on Fridays to honor the sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday, which is observed on April 18 this year.
“Abstinence is a form of penance,” notes the Catholic Church’s guidance on the observance. “Penance expresses sorrow and contrition for our wrongdoing, indicates our intention to turn away from sin, and turn back to God.”
Another important date in the Easter observance is Palm Sunday, which will be celebrated on April 13, 2025. This day marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, received by crowds waving palm branches.
The date of Easter is determined as the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. This year, the spring equinox falls on March 20, leading to Easter Sunday being celebrated on April 20.
For Christians, Easter represents the cornerstone of their faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Followers believe that after being crucified, buried, and dead for three days, Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.
As individuals continue their Lenten observances, many feel the importance of this time of reflection and repentance in their faith journey, looking forward to the joyful celebration of Resurrection Sunday.
