The observance of Lent has been a part of a Catholic person’s religious practices since approximately 325 A.D. Many people are not familiar with the origins and why. The practice of Lent began a few hundred years after the death of Christ, but the idea of giving something up comes from practices in the Bible.

The Lenten season lasts for 40 days before Easter Sunday. For the Catholic Church and Lent-observing Protestant Churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. For the Eastern Church, both Catholic and Orthodox, Lent begins on Clean Monday.

The purpose of fasting, or giving up, is spiritual focus, self-discipline, and imitation of Christ. Those who participate in Lent are performing penance for their sins in preparation for Easter.

Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras is the day preceding Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday, and it is celebrated by those who partake in Lent. Those who fast for the 40 days of Lent use Fat Tuesday to use all of the dairy products that they have in their homes, such as eggs, milk, butter, and meat. It is very common for people to have or make pancakes on this day.

"Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Ex 34:28). This passage and many other passages are the reasons why Lent is obtained for 40 days and 40 nights. Those in the Bible who are intertwined with the number 40 all had to go through a sacrifice of some sort.

This is where “giving up” something came from. In the present times, practicing Christians give up something for 40 days that they are used to having in their daily lives.

“I gave up going out to eat,” said senior Blake Haegele. “I go out to eat way too much, and I wanted to put a limit on it.”

In this day and age, many people participate in Lent in a health-concerned way. They may want to lose weight, or get fit for the summer months that are rapidly approaching.

“After a lot of thinking, I decided that I was going to give up soda for Lent,” said senior Mary Carswell. “I work at a food place so I know I will be challenged throughout the 40 days.”