Originally published at Churchpop
The liturgical season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is March 5 this year. The Latin name for Lent is “Quadragesima,” which stands for “fortieth,” named for the forty days which comprise the time of penance leading up to Easter Sunday.
Lent is the season that prepares us with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for the joy of the Easter season commemorating the Resurrection of Christ. In the history of the Catholic Church, there was even a preparatory liturgical time known as Septuagesima prepared Catholics for the intense season of Lent.
What is Septuagesima?
Septuagesimatide, or pre-Lent, is the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday. It starts with Septuagesima Sunday (about 70 days before Easter), followed by Sexagesima (about 60 days before Easter) and Quinquagesima (about 50 days before Easter).
Septuagesima helps ease the shift from the joy of Christmas to the seriousness of Lent. It takes on a more somber tone without being as strict as the Lenten fast, yet already taking some of the Lenten liturgical practices, like omitting the Alleluia and wearing Violet vestments.
Scriptural Themes of Septuagesima
Each Sunday during Septuagesimatide focuses on a different figure from the Old Testament to help prepare the faithful for the unfolding of the Paschal mystery that
