How Easter is celebrated

The 40 days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.

In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.

Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the 40 days, because each Sunday represents a “mini Easter” and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

Ash Wednesday

This day marks the beginning of the season of Lent.

Ash Wednesday emphasises two themes: peoples’ sinfulness before God and human mortality.

The service focuses on both themes, helping people to realise that both have been triumphed over through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers.

The use of ash as a sign of mortality, and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship.

Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins.

Also read: Easter trivia and facts you need to know

Passover

Passover is a major Jewish festival that principally celebrates the physical and political freedom attained by the Hebrew people, following their exodus from Egypt, where they had been slaves.

The highlight of the Passover festival is the meal which opens the festival. This festive meal is known as the Seder.

Jewish people who celebrate Passover for seven days hold the festive meal on the first evening of Passover, while Jewish people who celebrate Passover for eight days hold two identical festive meals: the first on the first evening and the second on the second evening of Passover.

q Information obtained from www.catholic.org.

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