Why Is Lent Longer Than 40 Days? Understanding the True Length of Lent

Discover why Lent lasts 46 days instead of 40, excluding Sundays as feast days in this detailed explanation.

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Lent is longer than 40 days because the 40 days do not include Sundays. Lent spans from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, encompassing 46 days in total. The six Sundays within this period are considered feast days and are not counted in the traditional 40 days of fasting and penance, thus extending the duration.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What days are included in the 40 days of Lent? The 40 days of Lent consist of the weekdays starting from Ash Wednesday up to Holy Saturday, excluding Sundays, which are feast days.
  2. Why are Sundays excluded from the 40 days of Lent? Sundays during Lent are considered feast days celebrating the resurrection, so they are not counted as days of fasting and penance.
  3. When does Lent begin and end? Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.