Lent
Forty days of preparation for Easter. Purple, no Gloria, and a Tract in place of the Alleluia.
Forty days of preparation for Easter. Purple, no Gloria, and a Tract in place of the Alleluia.
The colour
Purple marks the two preparatory seasons, Advent and Lent: penitence, restraint, waiting. Colour in Lent: purple.
What changes in the service
The Gloria is omitted and a Tract replaces the Alleluia acclamation before the Gospel.
SundayHQ calls this the lent shape. Applying it does not disturb your parish's own texts — it includes or omits the seasonal parts and leaves everything else where you put it.
Lent in Year A
First Sunday of LentMatthew 4:1-11Second Sunday of LentJohn 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9Third Sunday of LentJohn 4:5-42Fourth Sunday of LentJohn 9:1-41Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)John 11:1-45
Lent in Year B
First Sunday of LentMark 1:9-15Second Sunday of LentMark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9Third Sunday of LentJohn 2:13-22Fourth Sunday of LentJohn 3:14-21Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)John 12:20-33
Lent in Year C
First Sunday of LentLuke 4:1-13Second Sunday of LentLuke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)Third Sunday of LentLuke 13:1-9Fourth Sunday of LentLuke 15:1-3, 11b-32Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)John 12:1-8
Questions
What colour is used in Lent?
Purple. Purple marks the two preparatory seasons, Advent and Lent: penitence, restraint, waiting.
What changes in the service during Lent?
The Gloria is omitted and a Tract replaces the Alleluia acclamation before the Gospel.