Lent is a period of 40 days (six and one half weeks) from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. During Lent fasting is recommended for all Catholics. This fasting is reminiscent of Our Lords 40 days of unbroken fasting in the desert, which He undertook before entering into His public ministry.

Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for Easter; the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Lent is a time of fasting, penitence, and prayer. Each day in Lent has a special Mass assigned to it, that dates back to the seventh and eighth centuries. The daily color of the priests vestments are purple; except for on the fourth Sunday, Laetare Sunday, when rose colored vestments are worn. During Lent at Mass the organ is silent, except to accompany singing, and the Gloria and Alleluia are omitted.

1. Lent recalls Baptism or prepares for it
2. Lent stresses a penitential spirit

By these means Lent readies the faithful for celebrating the paschal mystery after a period of closer attention to the word of God, and more ardent prayer. Thus the spirit of Lent and the internal and individual actions are more related to the liturgy of the Church and are more a response of the members to the message and teachings of Christ.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2009 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20081211_lent-2009_en.html

The History of Lent http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0527.html