Lent is a time for renewing our baptismal commitment by preparing for Easter. The word lent comes from a word that means "springtime." During the forty days of Lent, we imitate nature, which slowly works its way back to new life. We work to strengthen the new life we received in Baptism. We work harder to give alms, or reach out to others. We fast and abstain, or "give things up," to remember that everything we have is a gift from God. We talk and listen more attentively to God in prayer.

The three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the celebration of theEaster Vigil, are called the Easter Triduum. The word triduum means "three days." These days are the most important days of the Church's liturgical year. We celebrate and remember the Paschal mystery--the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. We celebrate our own dying and rising to new life in Baptism.