40 days of renunciation: Lent begins - what that means now

The foolish hustle and bustle of the carnival season is over and with it days of renunciation begin for many people.

But what exactly is behind the so-called Lent and what is fasted?

Fasting between Carnival and Easter is called Lent or Easter Penance and is a tradition for many people.

Precisely, but not exclusively, Christians do without certain foods or other things that are important to them during these weeks.

The aim of most believers here is also the preparation for the approaching Easter festival and thus the resurrection of Jesus.

Lent usually begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2023) and ends on the night of Easter Sunday (April 8, 2023).

Perfect timing, because that's when the time for sumptuous Easter brunches, cute yeast pastries and feasts begins again.

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Alcohol, lemonade, sweets, meat or even the mobile phone – it is up to you what you do without during Lent.

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© AndreyPopov/Imago

Lent: where does the tradition of renunciation come from?

Lent has its origin in the Bible.

It says that Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning his mission.

Even today, some people use these 40 days to feel closer to God again, to practice renunciation and to do penance.

The number 40 has great significance in the Bible in general.

For example, the Flood lasted 40 days, Moses was on Mount Sinai during this time, and the Israelites wandered through the desert for a whole 40 years.

The fact that there are actually more days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, but we still only speak of 40 days of fasting, is because Sundays do not count.

They are intended to remind you of Jesus and God on a small scale during the week and are therefore exempt.

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Fasting: traditional, but still trendy

Fasting between Carnival and Easter is no longer just typical of believers.

Other people, who perhaps have less to do with religion, often use this time to do without certain things in their lives.

This may also include giving up meat or cigarettes, instead of taking the car more often, not always buying everything immediately or simply turning off the mobile phone at certain times.

These themes are aimed more at breaking bad habits and accommodating more deceleration in everyday life – goals that are respected in this day and age.

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Renunciation – what is actually fasting?

While Veganuary does not use any animal products, and Dry January does not contain anything alcoholic, you are very flexible during Lent.

Avoiding alcohol and sweets is the choice most people make every year.

shows what else people like to fast for

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No matter what you fast, most people also use this time to get rid of bad habits or at least limit them.

Fasting - but right: What's the best way to keep going?

People who completely avoid certain or general foods should only do so if they have consulted a doctor beforehand.

In general, the following applies here: drink a lot (unsweetened such as water or tea, at least 2.5 liters/day), limit time, slowly adapt – both to and from fasting.

40 days can also be quite a long time.

If you want to hold out until Easter Sunday, the following tips could help:

• Exercise: A leisurely walk, also with friends, provides distraction.

  When the sun is shining, the mood is also increased.

• Relaxation: Relaxation exercises, yoga, Pilates, etc. help to distract yourself from food cravings.

• Exchange: Sharing experiences, for example with friends or family, but also in groups or forums on the Internet, can help in crises.

• Goals: Goals should be realistic.

  For example, if you don't want to do without sweets in general, you could still treat yourself to a piece of chocolate (with a high cocoa content) from time to time.

Fasting in other cultures

There is also a period of fasting in other cultures.

For example, in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, devout Muslims forego all pleasures for 29 or 30 days.

You can only eat and drink after sunset.

This year Ramadan will last from March 22nd to April 21st.

In Hinduism, too, many believers do not eat on full moon or new moon days.

In Judaism, Yom Kippur is considered the day of reconciliation between God and man - a very strict day of fasting on which neither food nor drink is eaten (September 24/25, 2023).

Rubric list image: © AndreyPopov/Imago