Lent and the Daniel Fast
Lent 2008 – February 6th – March 22nd
The season of Lent is the period in the Church Year between Ash Wednesday and Easter. It originated in the very early days of the Church as a time of preparation for new converts. They would receive instructions about their faith, the church and Jesus Christ before being baptized and receiving their first Holy Communion which took place at a Mass on Easter Eve. This is still practiced in most liturgical churches throughout the world. Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is the most significant day in the Church Year as it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. This includes the Lutherans, Episcopalians, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists, and other Protestant denominations.
Forty Days of Lent
Lent is a forty-day period; however these days are not consecutive. The reason is that Sundays are not included in the count since they commemorate the resurrection of Christ. These 40 days remember Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness when He was tempted by Satan.
Today other members of churches who recognize the liturgical year practice Lent, along with those coming into full communion. It is a time for reflection, repentance and drawing closer to the Lord. During Lent, one makes sacrifices to observe the 40-day fast Jesus experienced in the wilderness. The most common food that is “given up for Lent” is meat, making the Daniel Fast a common way of eating during the 40 days of Lent.
Am I able to receive the wine at mass during my fasting?
Hi Amy,
Yes, always take every opportunity to take communion! (And it doen’t matter what your church chooses to use as the elements for taking communion) Even better while Fasting! Coming together in remembrance of our Lord and the price He paid to redeem us is the very reason we fast, to be surrendered to Him and to know Him more fully! Take communion, Rejoice and Be Blessed!
I am blessed to begin the Daniel Fast along with a good friend of mind through Resurrection Sunday. We are beginning today, March 1, 2012 & will end on April 9, 2012. I believe it will be 40 days & nights. I am also giving up some technological items I use more than necessary. I am planning to use every moment in intimacy with the Father as I consecrate my mind, soul, & body. Please keep us lifted in prayer as we fast & pray for change in our lives. Thank you for sharing this information. Stay encouraged & be blessed!
I am a mother a 26 year old daughter, and me and my husband and daughter love the LORD above all else, I am a reborn Christian 26 years and always wanted to do a 40-day fast, this is it I am starting a 40-day Daniel fast today Good Friday, and need some advise and guidance spiritualy, We as a family need to become debt free, and we need healing in our bodies, and above all else a deepened relationship with our LORD AND SAVIOUR>
I am starting a 40-Day Daniel Fast today. I am an Anglican from the Bahamas and our priest has asked us to join in with him on a fast during Lent. This is my first attempt and pray that your site can help me (along with God’s Holy Spirit) to endure until the end.