Lent has been celebrated by Christians all over the world for centuries. The 64th leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Gregory, set the first official period of Lent in 601 AD, according to the ...

It immediately follows Shrove Tuesday (more commonly known as Mardi Gras in some parts of the world) and marks the beginning of Lent. In the Catholic Church, ashes are applied to the forehead of ...

Christians observe Lent for 40 days to represent the time Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops ...

according to the Catholic News Agency. In other parts of the world, dry ashes are sprinkled on the forehead, rather than made into a paste. Fasting during Lent represents the fasting Jesus did ...

The tradition dates as far back as 601 AD, when 64th leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Gregory cemented the Lent as permanent tradition, according to the Museum of the Bible. At this time ...