Brothers of Council 3908,
The internet is a marvelous thing. Having been a Catholic for almost 70 years, I always wondered from the time that I learned to count, why lent is described as 40 days of penance. The calendar tells me that the period from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday totals 46 days. I found this answer from EWTN.
What is the Catholic Church Policy on Sundays in Lent?
During the Council of Nicaea in the sixth century, Pope St Gregory discouraged fasting on Sunday as they were considered as a day of celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, not part of the penitential season. Catholics are encouraged to maintain their Lenten sacrifices on Sundays, but it is not a requirement. The Church emphasizes the importance of the day as a time to rejoice the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and to celebrate the Lords Day.
After seven decades of Lenten practice, I do not think that this information will change my Lenten observance.
Vivat Jesus
Dave Berkemeier
