3 day Lent 2023
What is Lent? And When Does Lent Start?When does Lent 2023 start?In 2023 Lent begins on Wednesday 22 February. The Lent dates for 2023 are 22 February – 6 April. Show
When does Lent 2023 end?The last day of Lent 2023 is Thursday 6 April. When the Lent period ends depends how you count the 40 days as eastern and western churches observe Lent slightly differently. In western churches Sundays are excluded meaning Lent ends on Holy Saturday. Eastern churches include Lent Sundays meaning it ends on Palm Sunday, the Friday before Easter. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. What does Lent mean?The word “Lent” comes from the old English, “lencten,” which means “spring.” In Middle English is derived the words, lenten, lente, lent; related to the Dutch, lente, the German, Lenz, also rendered “spring.” In Old German lenzin, lengizin, and lenzo are related words, which probably comes from the same root as “long” and referring to “the lengthening days,” as the earth moves from the winter solstice toward the spring equinox. Why is lent 40 days?40 is a significant number in the Bible: In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the promised land. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. Lent 2023 is taking place between 22 February – 6 April. What to do for Lent?Some Christians from more orthodox or traditional denominations fast during Lent. They begin with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and give up meat, fish, eggs and more for the 40 day period. Others choose to give up comforts or luxuries such as chocolate, junk food, social media or television. For many Christians, Lent is a time where they make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love. This collection of Lent scriptures remind us that when we seek God, we will find Him. For some of us the prospect of 40 days of giving up something can be daunting. This year we’d like to encourage you to take something up instead and form a new habit. That’s why we’re offering you prayer journals to help keep you focused and to encourage you in your faith walk. What is Shrove Tuesday?Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, otherwise known as Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day where Christians could reflect on the sins they needed to repent of before the Lenten season began. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word ‘Shriven’ meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you’ve done. Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day which comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients before Lent, so that people were ready to fast. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses were eggs and milk, hence why people began combining them with flour to make pancakes. What is the first day of Lent called?Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday opens Lent and takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday. It’s chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians mark it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. What is Holy week?Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus’s life. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday which commemorates Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter where Christians remember the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Good Friday is the day on which Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Then Easter Sunday is the day on which Jesus rose from his tomb. You can find more Lent and Easter resources here: 40 Lent Bible verses Easter Bible verses Hot cross bun recipe and devotional Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT. For the Year 2023With Links to the Lessons From the Revised Common Lectionary, as modified for use in Episcopal worship Return to The Lectionary Page.
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January 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 The Holy Name | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 The Epiphany | 7 |
8 First Sunday after the Epiphany The Baptism of Our Lord | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 Second Sunday after the Epiphany | 16 | 17 | 18 Confession of St Peter, Apostle | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 Third Sunday after the Epiphany | 23 | 24 | 25 Conversion of St Paul, Apostle | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany | 30 | 31 |
February 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 Presentation of Jesus in the Temple | 3 | 4 | |||
5 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 Last Sunday after the Epiphany | 20 | 21 | 22 Ash Wednesday | 23 Thursday after Ash Wednesday | 24 St Matthias, Apostle | 25 Saturday after Ash Wednesday |
26 First Sunday in Lent | 27 Monday in the First Week of Lent | 28 Tuesday in the First Week of Lent |
March 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 Wednesday in the First Week of Lent | 2 Thursday in the First Week of Lent | 3 Friday in the First Week of Lent | 4 Saturday in the First Week of Lent | |||
5 Second Sunday in Lent | 6 Monday in the Second Week of Lent | 7 Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent | 8 Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent | 9 Thursday in the Second Week of Lent | 10 Friday in the Second Week of Lent | 11 Saturday in the Second Week of Lent |
12 Third Sunday in Lent | 13 Monday in the Third Week of Lent | 14 Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent | 15 Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent | 16 Thursday in the Third Week of Lent | 17 Friday in the Third Week of Lent | 18 Saturday in the Third Week of Lent |
19 Fourth Sunday in Lent | 20 St Joseph (transferred) | 21 Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent | 22 Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent | 23 Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent | 24 Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent | 25 The Annunciation |
26 Fifth Sunday in Lent | 27 Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent | 28 Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent | 29 Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent | 30 Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent | 31 Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent |
April 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| | 1 Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent | ||||
2 Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday | 3 Monday in Holy Week | 4 Tuesday in Holy Week | 5 Wednesday in Holy Week | 6 Maundy Thursday | 7 Good Friday | 8 Holy Saturday Easter Vigil |
9 Easter Day Early Service Principal Service Evening Service | 10 Monday in Easter Week | 11 Tuesday in Easter Week | 12 Wednesday in Easter Week | 13 Thursday in Easter Week | 14 Friday in Easter Week | 15 Saturday in Easter Week |
16 Second Sunday of Easter | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 Third Sunday of Easter | 24 | 25 St Mark, Evangelist | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 Fourth Sunday of Easter |
May 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 St Philip and St James, Apostles | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
7 Fifth Sunday of Easter | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 Sixth Sunday of Easter | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 Ascension Day | 19 | 20 |
21 Seventh Sunday of Easter | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 Day of Pentecost Whitsunday | 29 | 30 | 31 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin |
June 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 First Sunday after Pentecost Trinity Sunday | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 Second Sunday after Pentecost Proper 5 | 12 St Barnabas, Apostle, (transferred) | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 Third Sunday after Pentecost Proper 6 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 Nativity of St John, the Baptist |
25 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 St Peter and St Paul, Apostles | 30 |
July 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | ||||||
2 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 8 | 3 | 4 Independence Day | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
9 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Proper 10 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 Mary Magdalene |
23 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 11 | 24 | 25 St James, Apostle | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 12 | 31 |
August 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
6 The Transfiguration | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
13 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Proper 14 | 14 | 15 St Mary, the Virgin | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
20 Twelth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 15 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 St Bartholomew, Apostle | 25 | 26 |
27 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 16 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
September 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 | |||||
3 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17 | 4 Labor Day | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
10 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 18 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
17 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 St Matthew, Evangelist | 22 | 23 |
24 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 20 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 St Michael and All Angels | 30 |
October 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 21 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 22 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 23 | 16 | 17 | 18 St Luke, Evangelist | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Proper 24 | 23 St James of Jerusalem | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 St Simon & St Jude, Apostles |
29 Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Proper 25 | 30 | 31 Vigil of All Saints (White for vigil) |
November 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
Note: If All Saints Day is observed on the Sunday following, use white | 1 All Saints | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
5 All Saints, (white) or Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost Proper 26 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 27 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 28 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 Thanksgiving Day | 24 | 25 |
26 Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 St Andrew, Apostle |
December 2023 | ||||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 | |||||
3 First Sunday of Advent | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
10 Second Sunday of Advent | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
17 Third Sunday of Advent | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 St Thomas, Apostle | 22 | 23 |
24 Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve | 25 Christmas Day Christmas I Christmas II Christmas III | 26 St Stephen, Deacon and Martyr | 27 St John, Apostle and Evangelist | 28 Holy Innocents | 29 | 30 |
31 First Sunday after Christmas |
Notes:
The Sunday Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. The year which began at Advent 2022 and ended at Advent 2023 is Year A. The year which begins with Advent 2023 and ends at Advent 2024 is Year B. The First Sunday of Advent 2024 begins Year C.
The Bible translation used is The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The collects and the Psalms are from the Book of Common Prayer. The collects use the contemporary wording.
The liturgical color appropriate for the day is indicated, when the color is green, red or purple, by the color of the numeral against a light grey background. When the liturgical color is white, the numeral is black against a white background.
On weekdays, other than major Holy Days, the color indicated is the color appropriate to the season. When celebrating the feast of a martyred saint, red is also appropriate.
Return to The Lectionary Page.
Last updated on March 14, 2022