When is Lent?
Lent lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays. It is the time when Christians prepare for Easter by thinking about the things they have done wrong. It is a solemn time which reminds them of the period in Jesus’ life when, after giving up his work as a carpenter, he began to teach people about God. Jesus prepared for this by spending 40 days without food, alone in the desert.
Lent used to be a time for fasting, or going without food, as Jesus had done. Nowadays many people give up a favourite thing they enjoy, such as sweets, and often give money to charity.
The colour purple is linked to Lent. In some churches the altar is covered with a purple cloth, the pulpit has a purple “fall” and the vicar’s garments are purple.
Photographs courtesy of St James’s Church, Hampton Hill.
Purple is chosen for two reasons. Firstly, it is associated with mourning and helps Christians think about the sadness of Jesus’ death. Secondly, purple is linked to royalty and celebrates Christ’s coming as a King.
