The Lenten ritual is six weeks of abstinence and fasting that emerged out of pagan practices. The word itself derived from the Anglo-Saxon Lencten meaning the springtime stretching of days

The 40-day season of Lent began as Christian faithful around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday in preparation for Easter in a period for penance, reflection and fasting among those of the Catholic faith.

Some refer to Ash Wednesday and Lent as the “40 days and 40 nights” period that Jesus is said in the bible to have spent fasting and being tempted by the devil. Ashes are marked on a person’s forehead in the form of a cross at Mass to symbolise repentance for sin and as a reminder of our mortality.