Christians in Nigeria and across the globe have commenced the sacred season of Lent today, March 5, 2025, with the observance of Ash Wednesday. This 40-day period, excluding Sundays, is dedicated to fasting, prayer, penance, and charitable acts, leading up to Easter on April 20.
Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness, emphasizing spiritual renewal, self-discipline, and repentance. On Ash Wednesday, millions of worshippers attend church services to receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross—a solemn reminder of human mortality and the call to repentance. Clergy often recite, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return,” reinforcing the season’s themes of humility and reflection.
Key Dates for Lent 2025
- Ash Wednesday: March 5
- Palm Sunday: April 13
- Maundy Thursday: April 17
- Good Friday: April 18
- Easter Sunday: April 20
Since the date of Easter is based on the lunar calendar, Lent shifts annually. In 2025, Easter falls later than usual, but this has not lessened the devotion with which Christians worldwide observe fasting and prayer.
Lenten Traditions and Significance
During Lent, many Christians abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays leading to Easter. Others give up personal luxuries, such as sweets or social media, as acts of sacrifice and self-discipline. Additionally, prayer and almsgiving remain central practices, encouraging believers to help those in need.
In his 2024 Ash Wednesday homily at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, Pope Francis urged Christians to detach from worldly distractions, particularly excessive social media use, and focus on spiritual growth. “Life is not a performance,” he reminded the faithful, encouraging quiet reflection and authenticity in faith.
Meanwhile, religious leaders continue to emphasize unity across faiths. On Sunday, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, highlighted the shared values between Christianity and Islam, particularly the belief in one merciful and all-powerful God.
“Whether you are Christian or Muslim, we all believe in one God who is Almighty and merciful,” he stated, drawing attention to the common principles of fasting and prayer observed in both faiths during Lent and Ramadan.
As Christians embark on this Lenten journey, they are called to embrace its disciplines with sincerity and devotion, preparing their hearts for the joyous celebration of Easter.
