Lent is the yearly celebration by the Church of its corporate conversion in Jesus Christ. During Lent, the liturgy prepares catechumens to celebrate the Paschal Mystery by the various stages of Christian initiation. It also prepares the faithful for Easter as they recall their baptism and do penance in preparation for the greatest feast of the year.
Lent has two major purposes: it recalls or prepares for baptism, and emphasizes a spirit of penance. Through forty days of closer attention to God’s word and more fervent prayer, believers are prepared to celebrate the Paschal Mystery.
Lenten instructions stress these baptismal and penitential themes. During Lent, it is important to teach the social consequences of sin as well as the fact that the heart of the virtue of penance is hatred of sin as an offence against God.
The Church encourages penitential practices that are external and social, reflecting the circumstances of individuals and communities, as we pray and do penance for sinners.