Why is lent 46 days

Christ rose from the dead, however, on Sunday, the first day of the week, and the early Christians, starting with the apostles those original disciples , saw Christ's Resurrection as a new creation, and so they transferred the day of rest and worship from Saturday to Sunday. Since all Sundays—and not simply Easter Sunday—were days to celebrate Christ's Resurrection, Christians were forbidden to fast and do other forms of penance on those days.

Therefore, when the Church expanded the period of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter from a few days to 40 days to mirror Christ's fasting in the desert, before He began His public ministry , Sundays could not be included in the count. Thus, in order for Lent to include 40 days on which fasting could occur, it had to be expanded to six full weeks with six days of fasting in each week plus four extra days— Ash Wednesday and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that follow it.

Six times six is thirty-six, plus four equals forty. And that's how we arrive at the 40 days of Lent! For a more in-depth explanation of the history of the Lenten fast, why it has been and remains 40 days long, why Sundays have never been part of the Lenten fast, and when the Lenten fast ends, see The 40 Days of Lent: A Short History of the Lenten Fast.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. To make up the difference, to truly emulate Jesus and fasting for a literal 40 days, the calendar got changed. Hence the calendar we have now, where we kick off Lent with Ash Wednesday.

This settled right around the s and has continued since. Hence why people often use cheat days on the Sundays of Lent. Again, it depends on which denomination you ask, but traditionally, Lent ends on Holy Saturday. We need to remember the core reasons why we celebrate Lent. But should you feel a strong conviction to end on a particular day, plan accordingly.

As described above, it really does depend on your denomination or convictions, and depending on how you count the 40 days of Lent. However, for this year, , I can include the dates of some of the important Lenten days, so you can decide for yourself when you choose to end Lent. During this time of waiting and fasting, we cling to him and remember his good promises that he has fulfilled and will fulfill when he comes again.

Hope Bolinger is an editor at Salem, a multi-published novelist, and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 1, of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her modern-day Daniel trilogy is out with IlluminateYA.

And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in November of Find out more about her at her website. This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dear Parish Family,. What gives? Well, in the colorful history of this penitential season, there are three points that help us resolve the question: 1 The season of Lent used to begin on the First Sunday of Lent.

Multiply 7 days times 6 weeks, you get 42 days until Easter Sunday. So that meant only 34 actual days of fasting. This meant finding six more days.