Dear readers and friends,
Dear readers,
Now is the time to make a donation for all the great articles you read on Aleteia! It will only take a few minutes, and your donation is tax deductible. For all that you receive day after day, give today. Make a gesture of generosity!
For all that you receive from Aleteia day after day, give today. It will only take a few minutes, and your donation is tax deductible!
Donate
Help Aleteia to spread hopeMake a tax-deductible donationMake a tax-deductible donation
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Did you know Lent ends on Holy Thursday?

HOLY WEEK
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
Philip Kosloski - published on 03/26/24
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

Lenten Campaign 2025

This content is free of charge, as are all our articles.
Support us with a donation that is tax-deductible and enable us to continue to reach millions of readers.

Donate

Lent is a penitential season in the Catholic Church that spans a total of 46 days, as the 40-day fast does not include the six Sundays that occur within it.

Additionally, the season of Lent ends right before a mini liturgical season that lasts three days before Easter.

Easter Triduum

Technically speaking, the Easter Triduum, also known as the "Sacred Paschal Triduum," begins at sundown on Holy Thursday.

The Roman Missal simply states that, "the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated in the evening, at a convenient time, with the full participation of the whole local community and with all the priests and ministers exercising their office."

Prior to that, the liturgical texts are situated within the season of Lent.

The Triduum is also considered a single Mass, even though it spans three days.

Paschal Fast

While some might say that your Lenten resolutions end on Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord's Supper also begins what is called the "Paschal Fast."

Traditionally many Catholics prolonged their Lenten fasting from Holy Thursday until the end of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

Good Friday is naturally a day of fasting and abstinence, and so this tradition simply extends it to Holy Thursday and throughout the day on Holy Saturday.

Easter is near

The good news is that the Paschal Triduum signals the coming of Easter and heightens our senses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. Please make a tax-deductible donation today!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

You must be logged in to comment.
If you don't already have an Aleteia account, create a free one now! An account gives you access to all Aleteia articles and the opportunity to comment.

Already a member?
Write a comment