Okay, so you gave up chocolate (or coffee, or Instagram ) for Lent, and now you’re wondering… do Sundays count? And also, when does Lent actually end? (Because let’s be honest, we’re all eyeing the Easter feast.)

Patrick tackled both of these questions, and here’s the deal:

When Does Lent Officially End?

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and officially ends on the evening of Holy Thursday. That’s right: once we get into the Triduum (those sacred three days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), we’ve technically moved past Lent. But heads up: that doesn’t mean you should dive into a pile of Easter candy just yet.

So… Do You Get a Sunday Pass?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Lent is 40 days long, but if you count from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, there are more than 40 days. That’s because Sundays aren’t traditionally included in the Lenten count. Some people take this as a sign that they can pause their sacrifice on Sundays; after all, every Sunday is a mini-Easter, a day of joy and rest!

But does that mean you should take a break? Totally up to you. There’s no hard-and-fast Church rule on this. Some Catholics go all-in and keep their sacrifice even on Sundays, while others embrace a little Sunday reprieve.

So… what does your family do? Is the chocolate fast still on come Sunday, or do you sneak a little treat?

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS