It feels like we just took the Christmas lights down, but the calendar is already pivoting toward the purple drapes and fish fries. If you're looking for when is Lent 2025, mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 5.
That is late.
Usually, we’re knee-deep in ashes by mid-February, but 2025 is throwing a bit of a curveball because of how the lunar cycle interacts with the Gregorian calendar. Honestly, it changes everything from when you need to buy your paczki to when you can finally stop "giving up" chocolate.
Lent isn't just a random six-week block. It’s a 40-day marathon—technically 46 if you count the Sundays, though Sundays are usually considered "mini-Easters" where the fasting rules soften up a bit. For most folks, it’s a time of literal or metaphorical "cleaning house" before the big celebration of Easter Sunday, which lands on April 20, 2025.
The Math Behind the Ashes
Why does the date move? You can blame the Council of Nicaea back in 325 AD. They decided Easter should fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. Because the moon doesn't follow our 365-day rhythm, Easter—and by extension, Lent—wanders around the calendar like a tourist without a map.
Since Easter is April 20 this year, we count back six weeks to find Ash Wednesday.
March 5.
That late start means the "spring" in Spring Cleaning actually lines up with the season for once. You aren't shivering in a blizzard while trying to reflect on your life choices; you might actually see some crocuses popping up by the time you're halfway through.
What Actually Happens on March 5?
Ash Wednesday is the starting gun. If you go to a Catholic or Anglican service, or even some Methodist and Lutheran ones, you’ll leave with a smudge of burnt palm branches on your forehead. It’s a bit of a "memento mori" moment. The priest or pastor usually says something like, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
It’s heavy. It's supposed to be.
But it’s also the day the fasting rules kick in. For Catholics between 18 and 59, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting (one full meal, two smaller ones that don't equal a full meal) and abstinence from meat.
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The 40 Days Logic (And the Sunday Loophole)
People always get confused about the math. If you count from March 5 to April 19 (Holy Saturday), you get 46 days. So why does everyone call it the "40 Days of Lent"?
Simple. Sundays don't count.
In the Christian tradition, every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection. You can’t exactly fast while you’re celebrating a feast, right? So, if you gave up coffee for Lent 2025, you technically have permission to grab a latte on those six Sundays. Most people don't, though. They find it easier to just power through. If you break the streak, it’s harder to get back on the wagon on Monday morning.
Real Talk: Why People Still Do This
You might think Lent is just for the ultra-religious, but it has seen a massive resurgence among people who just feel "cluttered."
We live in a world of instant dopamine. TikTok scrolls, DoorDash deliveries, 24/7 connectivity. Lent offers a socially acceptable excuse to opt out of the noise for a second. It’s a liturgical "dry January."
I know people who aren't even religious who use the Lenten season to delete Instagram or stop buying unnecessary stuff on Amazon. It provides a structured window of time to prove to yourself that you aren't a slave to your habits. Whether you're doing it for God or just for your own mental health, the 40-day timeframe is backed by a lot of psychological weight. It's long enough to break a habit but short enough that the finish line stays in sight.
The Major Milestones of 2025
Once you get past the initial "what am I doing with my life" phase of early March, the season hits a few high notes:
Palm Sunday (April 13): This marks the start of Holy Week. Expect lots of greenery and long readings in church. It commemorates Jesus entering Jerusalem, and it's the beginning of the "home stretch."
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Holy Thursday (April 17): This is often called Maundy Thursday. It’s about the Last Supper. In many traditions, this is when the "stripping of the altar" happens—the church goes from decorated to totally bare and dark. It’s pretty dramatic.
Good Friday (April 18): No meat. No bells. Just a somber reflection on the Crucifixion. In many cities, you’ll see "Stations of the Cross" processions in the streets.
Holy Saturday (April 19): The day of silence. Nothing happens until the Easter Vigil late at night.
Easter Sunday (April 20): The end. The candy. The ham. The "I can finally drink soda again" moment.
Common Misconceptions About the Fast
A lot of people think you have to give up food. You don't.
Actually, modern Lenten advice often leans toward "adding" something rather than "subtracting." Instead of giving up chocolate, maybe you commit to walking 10,000 steps or calling your grandmother once a week.
Also, the "no meat on Fridays" rule? It applies to "flesh meat"—basically mammals and birds. That’s why the Friday Night Fish Fry is a cultural staple in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Fish are cold-blooded, so they’ve historically been exempt.
Interestingly, in some parts of the world, "meat" definitions get weird. There are historical records of the Church allowing things like beaver or alligator because they spend so much time in the water. But for your Lent 2025 goals, you're probably just looking at cod, shrimp, or a very sad cheese pizza.
How to Prepare for the Late Start
Because Lent starts so late in 2025, you have extra time to actually plan your "sacrifice." Don't wait until the night of March 4 (Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday) to decide what you're doing.
- Audit your screen time. If you're spending four hours a day on your phone, that’s your Lenten target. Use the "Screen Time" settings to lock yourself out starting March 5.
- Clear the pantry. If you’re giving up sweets, get them out of the house by March 4. Don't rely on willpower at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday.
- Budget for the fish fries. If you live in a "Lenten belt" city, those church dinners can actually be a great way to save money on eating out while supporting a local parish.
- Mark the calendar. Again, it's March 5 to April 20.
The beauty of a late Lent is the weather. Usually, the "desert experience" of the fast is associated with winter gloom. In 2025, you'll be finishing your fast just as the world is literally coming back to life. There's a poetic symmetry in that—watching the trees bud right as you hit the end of your 40-day discipline.
Focus on the "why" behind the "what." If giving up chocolate just makes you cranky and mean to your coworkers, you’ve missed the point. The goal is "metanoia"—a Greek word for a change of heart. Use these 40 days to actually shift your perspective.
Start by setting a reminder for March 4 to enjoy that last burger or donut. Then, get ready for the quiet on March 5.
Next Steps for Your Lenten Season:
- Download a liturgical app: Apps like Hallow or Amen provide daily readings that keep you on track so you don't lose the "why" by week three.
- Locate your local parish schedule: Many churches offer "Soup and Substance" nights on Wednesdays or Fish Fries on Fridays; these are great for community during the fast.
- Set a specific goal: Instead of "I'll try to be better," commit to something measurable, like "I will not check email after 7:00 PM" for the duration of Lent.