In the United States, as in most Christian countries, Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is at the end of the Lenten season, which includes a 46-day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter. The Lenten season is for 40 days, since the six Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent. Sundays are a commemoration of Easter Sunday and are excluded from the Lenten fast. Lenten season is a time of penitence in preparation for the highest religious festival of the, Easter Holy Week. The last week of Lent starts with the observance of Palm Sunday. |