Lent, a 40-day season of prayer

observed by Christ or His apostles.

moves from the winter solstice toward the spring equinox.

IN PREDOMINANTLY Christian

Philippines (population 114 million) – from as far north as Batanes to the villages of Mindanao which were baptized into the Cross, Lent has become a major portion of the people’s tradition and culture.

Lent, whose last week is popularly known as Semana Santa, is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and alms giving that began on February 22, Ash Wednesday, and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, April 6.

On the first day of this period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter, many Christians— the Catholics and Aglipayans included— allow the priest to mark their foreheads with ash in the shape of a cross, fast or abstain from certain foods or physical pleasures for 40 days. The word “Lent” comes from the old English “lencten” which means “spring.”

In Middle English the words lenten, lente, lent are derived; related to the Dutch, lente, the German, Lenz, also meaning “spring.”

In Old German lenzin, lengizin, and lenzo are related words, which probably comes from the same root as “long” and referring to “the lengthening days,” as the earth

Why is Lent 40 days?

In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain.

The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the promised land. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.

For many Christians, Lent is a time where they make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love. This collection of Lent scriptures remind us that when we seek God, we will find Him.

For Lent, violet is the liturgical color and the color too of the stole worn by the priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Violet is a somber color which symbolizes, according to theologians, mourning, suffering, humility, regret, and the willingness to do penance, particularly fasting.

For some Catholics the prospect of 40 days of giving up something can be disconcerting..

Unlike New Year’s, Epiphany, Christmas, Halloween, St. Valentine’s Day and other pagan holidays celebrated by the secular, non-religious world, Lent is observed by zealous religious believers.

Some Church observers say people who observe Lent may be religious, dedicated and sincere—“but they are sincerely wrong.”

Some propose an examination of Lent, its practices and customs, its historic and religious origins,and its true meaning from the Bible’s perspective, not from the “traditions of men” (Mark 7:7-9).

Some Bible scholars say Lent was never and dignity of actors and staff” are more protected.

He commanded them to “Go you, therefore, and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).

These scholars say Jesus never commanded them to observe Lent or Easter.

But he commanded them to keep Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

In fact, during His last Passover on earth, Christ gave detailed instructions on how to observe the Passover service. He also instituted new Passover symbols (John 13:1-17).

Many theologians say Lent was not observed by the first century Church.

It was first addressed by the Church at Rome during the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, when Emperor Constantine officially recognized that Church as the Roman Empire’s state religion.

Any other brand of Christianity that held to doctrines contrary to the Roman church was considered an enemy of the state.

In A.D. 360, the Council of Laodicea officially commanded Lent to be observed.

Originally, people did not observe Lent for more than a week. Some kept it for one or two days.

“That can create an atmosphere that discourages harassment.”

She and her fellow directors also want sensitivity training and industry guidelines for casting and shooting, warning that otherwise “incidents and accidents” will keep happening.

Modesty garments

On set in Tokyo, director Kenji Kuwashima is happy having Nishiyama there, and sees her as “defending both parties”.

“In the end, everyone wants the same thing: to make the best production possible,” he told AFP.

“Until now, relations were much more top-down, with the director saying ‘do this’, but it’s become more equal and both sides benefit.”

When preparing to go on set, Nishiyama gathers props that help keep scenes realistic while protecting actors.

She’s never without a range of silicone patches that prevent contact between intimate parts of the body, as well as “maebari” – a made-to-measure modesty garment.

From a bag she pulls out a collection of underwear ranging from panties to thongs in different skin tone shades.

“I’ve always got about 30 with me,” she said, laughing.

Nishiyama started her career as a production coordinator, mainly for Japanese shoots abroad, and took up her current role after an intensive online US training course.

The rising demand for her services suggests “things are changing, little by little”, she said.

But she admits feeling “a little powerless” to hear that some industry players accused of abuse have continued to work unchallenged.

“There are people who want to change things, and there are more and more film sets with a healthy atmosphere. But I think that things must change more.” AFP

Others kept it for 40 consecutive hours, falsely believing only 40 hours had elapsed between Christ’s death and resurrection.

Eventually, it became a 40-day period of fasting or abstaining from certain foods.

As the largest predominantly Catholic nation in Asia, Filipinos regard the Lent as one of the most important religious events when their religiosity is at its high as depicted in various traditions.

During Holy Week, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and, according to their faith, His Resurrection.

The week includes five days of special significance. The first is Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ humble entry on a donkey into Jerusalem to observe Passover.

Holy Week is the most important week in the Church’s year, which chronicles the Lord’s Passion, the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem.

It is a time when Catholics celebrate His life, death and resurrection, remember His actions, reflect on His messages and recommit to living as His disciples in the world today.