After days filled with Super Bowl parties and Mardi Gras celebrations, the revelry returns to austerity for western Christians on Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. During this 40-day period of penance, prayer and fasting, Christians strive to imitate Jesus Christ’s actions and prepare for the celebration of Easter as they reflect on his life, death and resurrection. Besides Roman Catholics, other western Christian groups that observe Lent include Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Anglicans.
