10 Lenten practices that have deep spiritual symbolism

Lent is a beautiful season in the Catholic Church, one associated with many different signs, symbols and practices that are used in the liturgy to draw us deeper into the mysteries celebrated.

Here are 10 such symbols, with links to articles that explain each in detail.

1. What is the symbolism of ashes on Ash Wednesday?
2. Here’s why Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent
3. Why does Lent last 40 days?
4. How Wednesdays became fasting days in the Catholic Church
5. Who invented the Stations of the Cross?
6. A Marian alternative to the Stations of the Cross
7. Why do priests wear violet during Lent?
8. “Sackcloth Wednesday”: This is how Lent used to begin
9. Here’s why Lent was “created”
10. The surprisingly secular meaning of the word “Lent”

Read more:
Why Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent

Read more:
What is the symbolism of ashes on Ash Wednesday?