Are you giving something up for Lent this year?
If you do, you'll be one of the millions of people who do choose to go without during the spring months.
Starting as soon as Pancake Day is over, Lent is a 40-day fasting season during which Christians prepare for Easter.
The 40 days of fasting are said to be in commemoration of Jesus' time spent in the desert, and many people choose to abstain from certain foods and luxuries during this time.
Here's everything you need to know about Lent.
When does Lent 2019 start?
Lent 2019 starts on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 6 this year. Since Lent is a 40-day fast, it will last until Holy Thursday on Thursday, April 18
What is Lent?
Lent is predominantly a Christian tradition. It's the 40 day period before Easter when practising Catholics self-discipline to prepare for the holiday, which is considered the holiest day of the Christian year. However, plenty of non-believers also take part in fasting - using the event as an opportunity to give up sweets, alcohol and other vices.
Why is Lent for 40 days and what is its meaning?
Lent traditionally lasts 40 days in relation to the biblical teachings which describe the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert before entering his public ministry, according to Catholic Online.
Why do people fast?
Many followers fast to imitate Jesus's fast in the desert - a biblical discipline found in both the Old and the New Testament.
In the Bible, Jesus expected his disciples to fast and issued instructions for how they should do so. Today, many Catholics follow this pattern by holding a partial fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Why do people eat fish on Fridays?
Catholics commemorate Jesus's crucifixion on Good Friday by refraining from eating meat on every Friday during Lent. Instead, they opt to eat fish, which is a biblical symbol of Jesus.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, and involves the practice of marking one's forehead with ashes, which was a common biblical expression of mourning.
To mark the day, churches all over the world burn palm from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services to create the ashes for the yearly ceremony.
