40 days of Lent? What's that all about?

Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day) marks the last day before the start of LENT on Wednesday. This is regarded by many as 40 days for reflection and contemplation. The word 'Shrove' comes from an Old English word 'Shrive.' People would attend church at the start of Lent to be 'shriven' of their past sins.

We have all heard of people 'giving things up for Lent!' Often it will be something like chocolate or cutting down on puddings or alcohol. A bit like New Year Resolutions, many don't survive the full 40 day period. But it is an important symbol- recognising the 40 days of Lent as a time to sacrifice or 'go without' for the period leading up to the celebration on Easter Day.

So, within the Christian tradition, the 40 days of Lent officially starts on Wednesday. Many churches throughout South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire will have special Ash Wednesday services where people have a sign of the cross on their forehead (originally made from ash), confirming their wish to share in the sufferings of Christ leading up to the Crucifixion.

The importance of Shrove Tuesday-the last day before the start of Lent- is that this is the day when all the food in the house containing eggs, sugar and fat were used up, before the start of the more austere period of 'giving up' or 'going without' for the 40 days of Lent.

I remember visiting the Greek Island of Rhodes during the period of Lent. In the Old Town (it may have been different in the resorts!), most of the shops and restaurants were closed, or only open for a few hours each day for people to buy essentials. The town had an eerie feeling about it- people tended to stay indoors unless it was necessary for them to go outside. But then, at midnight on Easter Saturday, it was like someone had pushed a button. 'WOW'- everybody was out in the streets; barbecues were lit in the gardens; ships in the harbour sounding their horns loudly; people flocking to the main churches for the early morning celebrations. The 40 days of Lent- reflecting and going without- were over, and people were celebrating Easter Day, loudly and enthusiastically.

So, however you choose to mark Shrove Tuesday this week- enjoy it! In many parts of the world it is a day of Carnival. Then, in our own way, we can use the 40 days of Lent to be a special time too. It may involve 'giving up' or it may even be a time for 'taking up'- finding new ways to support neighbours and friends in our communities. However we choose to mark it, Lent 2026 can be a very special time of the year for us too.