The traditional annual Christian observance began on Wednesday, March 6. This was a day after millions indulged on Shrove Tuesday, also known as pancake day. Lent is regarded as a time of spiritual refection and a chance to grow closer to God.
But for those who are not religious, it is a time of fasting or abstinence.
How many days are left in Lent?
The dates around the Easter period are different each year.
But Lent will end on Thursday, April 18, in 2019.
This means there are 28 days left until Lent ends.
Lent technically lasts for 46 days, but Sundays are not part of the overall count.
When is Easter 2019?
Easter weekend will begin this year with Good Friday on April, 19.
Then Easter Sunday will take place a couple of days later on April 21.
Easter tends to fall between March 22 and April 25.
The dates are always different in the normal Georgian or Julian calendar, which follow the cycle of the sun.
Instead, Easter is worked out by the lunar calendar, which follows the different phases of the moon.
Easter also falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox around March 20.
The Spring Equinox is the moment the sun crosses from south to north over the celestial equator.
Elsewhere, Eastern Orthodox churches begin their Easter celebrations on Clean Monday.
This year, Lent began on February 19 for this section of Christianity.