Christians will observe the 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, known as Lent from today. The period is a preparation for the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

Lent includes 40 days of fasting and six Sundays counted as feast days. The first day of the season is Ash Wednesday when believers daub their foreheads with ash in continuation of a tradition when penitents sprinkled ash all over their body.

In an official to the Catholic community and the public, Rev. John Rodrigues,  Archbishop of Bombay underscored the significance of Lent as a sacred period of “grace and spiritual renewal.” Echoing Pope Francis’s call to 'journey together in hope,' Rodrigues urged solidarity with the marginalised. “Through prayer, sacrifice, and charity, we radiate Christ’s transformative love to all creation. May our Lenten observances renew our lives, deepen our compassion, and unite us as pilgrims walking toward eternal life. I wish everyone a grace-filled season of growth and renewal.” 

Rev Vijay Davidson, the priest in charge of Christ Church Byculla, said that Lent is a time for reflection, prayer, penance, and commemoration of the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. For Christians, Lent is a season of spiritual preparation that encourages self-examination with reflection, repentance, and renewal of one’s heart, mind, and soul," said Davidson.

This is a season of abstinence from the excesses of daily life. Many believers forego certain luxuries or incorporate new spiritual practices to deepen their faith. Many believers mark the season with one daily meal and no meat. Others eat two small meals daily. However, the church reminds its followers that Lent is not just about abstaining from meat. 

In a message to its members, the Archdiocese of Bombay said that giving up meat is not the only thing believers can do during the season. Rodrigues highlighted Lent as a time to prepare for the Easter Triduum commemorating Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. “We are invited to turn away from sin and toward God and our neighbours in love,” he stated. In his official statement on Lent, Archbishop John emphasized the 4 pillars of Lent: prayer, penance, charity, and fasting, and encouraged the faithful to follow the traditions of Lent. Davidson said this discipline enhances awareness of one's relationship with God and the call to serve others.

"Overall, Lent offers Christians a vital opportunity to reconnect with their faith, seek forgiveness, and anticipate the resurrection of Christ," Davidson added.

Church of North India members organise 'cottage prayers', the tradition of visiting the homes of every parishioner for prayers. Members visit every home in the parish and pray for the family. They sing hymns, read the Bible, hold sermons, and explain the importance of Lent.Advocate Cyril Dara, a member of St Andrew's Marathi Church, Agripada, who joins the prayer groups, said he fasts for 46 days, having only one meal daily, the dinner.

"I have been doing it for almost 30 years. I have been observing this since my youth. I do not have water during the day and my family eats only vegetarian food cooked at home," said Dara.

What believers do: