Which season lasts about forty days (excluding Sundays) and focuses on conversion, beginning with Ash Wednesday?

• A. Advent
• B. Easter Season
• C. Lent
• D. Ordinary Time

Answer: (C)

The season described is Lent, a time of penance and preparation for Easter focused on conversion. It spans about forty days of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, echoing Jesus’ forty days in the desert. Sundays are not counted toward the forty days because they are celebratory days within Lent, still part of the season but treated as feast days that interrupt the fasting emphasis. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when ashes symbolize repentance, and it ends with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, leading into the Easter Triduum. This period centers on turning more fully toward God and recommitting to spiritual growth, which is why conversion is highlighted. For contrast, Advent prepares for Christmas, the Easter Season runs from Easter to Pentecost, and Ordinary Time fills the periods outside these seasons.