5 Facts I Didn't Know About Lent
1. The word 'Lent' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'lengten', which means "Springtime", named so for the time of the year in which it occurs.
2. The liturgical colour for Lent is purple, the colour of repentance and sorrow for sin.
3. Ash Wednesday was actually never recored in the bible.
4. Lent is 40 days not including Sundays because it is believed Sunday, Sabbath, is a day of rest.
5. Observance of Lent dates back to the 4th century.
Colours Of The Catholic Church :
The symbolism of violet (Purple) , white , green, red, gold, black, rose pink and other colours may serve to underline moods appropriate to a season of the liturgical year or may highlight a special occasion.
Green- Green is a sign of life and growth life and hope. In the catholic church green represents ordinary time, most of the church's year is ordinary time.
Red-Red symbolises blood and fire. In the catholic church red is used on: Palm Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and for celebrations of the sacrament of Confirmation. It is also the colour associated with martyrs because those who have shed their blood for their faith , it is worn on the feast day of martyrs.
Purple- Purple, or violet, symbolises repentance and penance. In the catholic church purple , or violet, is used during Advent and Lent.
White- White, or gold, since it's a festive and joyful colour, is used during Christmas and Easter and important feast days.
Rose Pink- Rose pink is an optional colour that may be used on the Third Sunday Of Lent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent . On both of these days, the Entrance Antiphon calls us to rejoice, so the pink vestments mark a softening of the penitential tone of the season.