20 questions kids ask about Lent, Holy Week and Easter

20 questions kids ask about Lent

Lent is a special time for Christians everywhere, and involves many traditions and practices like fasting, abstinence, almsgiving and good works.

The practice of different traditions, however, may lead our children to wonder, "Why do we do these things? What is the meaning of it all?”

As parents, we have a responsibility to help our kids learn more about why we do what we do, and not just do things for the sake of doing things.

That’s why we’ve come up with this guide-of-sorts to Lent for children, based on questions kids ask about Lent. And who best to answer these questions but Jesus Himself, right?

Click next to know the 20 questions kids ask about Lent.

Vincent Joaquin I. Torres, 7 years old

Question: What is Lent?

Jesus says: Lent is a time to prepare for Easter, when I rose again from the dead — all for YOU, my little one!

"You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one who was killed on a cross. He has risen from death!” (Mark 16:6, ERV)

*ERV stands for Easy-to-Read Version, and refers to the version of the Bible used for the quotes in this article.

Audry A. Yu, 7 months old

Question: Why is Lent 40 days long?

Jesus says: Because I stayed in the desert for 40 days! I was preparing for my "mission" here on Earth.

It may seem like a long time, but just remember the main purpose behind it all. I'm cheering for you all the way!

"Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert. He was taken there to be tempted by the devil. Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights.” (Matthew 4:1-2, ERV)

Duke Allistair F. Olivera, 1 year old

Question: Why do we have to fast and give things up during Lent?

Jesus says: Well, to remember the sacrifices I made for you — all because I love you! It’s also a sign that you are sorry for whatever wrong you may have done.

The Bible actually has many verses that teach about fasting, little one, and here’s one of them:

"This is the Lord’s message: "Now come back to me with all your heart. Cry and mourn, and don’t eat anything! Show that you are sad for doing wrong.” (Joel 2:12, ERV)

Chellai Meriae Joy R. Erasmo

Question: Why did the priest put ashes on our heads on Ash Wednesday?

Jesus says: During Biblical times — a very, very long time ago — putting ashes on your head was a common way of ‘mourning,’ or showing that you are sad, especially when someone has died.

When the priest makes the sign of the cross with ashes on your head, it’s your way of mourning MY death, plus showing that you are sorry. (Thanks for doing that, by the way.)

Gijs Yohan Nievaart, 1 year and 3 months old

Question: What are the Stations of the Cross about?

Jesus says: The Stations (or Way) of the Cross tell the story of my final hours on earth. There are different versions of it but each of them has 14 stations.

If you’re going to pray the Stations or have already been doing so, that’s awesome! If not, you might want to look at this multimedia Stations of the Cross for kids.

Jaril prince Maya, 2 years old

Question: Why don't we eat meat on Fridays during Lent?

Jesus says: Not eating meat is a practice called ‘abstinence.’ It’s your way of remembering my crucifixion on a Friday… the crucifixion is when I was nailed to a cross (again, because I love you so much!).

Abstinence from some kinds of food is something that you can read about in the Bible. It shows that you’re mourning or sad about something.

It also reminds you to focus on Me, since eating meat is usually part of your daily routine.

"At that time I, Daniel, was very sad for three weeks. During those three weeks, I didn’t eat any fancy food; I didn’t eat any meat or drink any wine. I didn’t put any oil on my head. I didn’t do any of these things for three weeks.” (Daniel 10:2-3, ERV)

Julian Vincent A. Bayoneta, 2 years old

Question: Why don't we sing the Alleluia and Gloria during Lent?

Jesus says: The "Alleluia” and "Gloria” are terms used to show great joy, My little one, and since Lent is a time for showing that you are sorry for your sins, you don’t sing them during Mass.

It’s sort of like "saving the best for last” — when Lent ends and Easter begins, you’ll be able to sing them with greater joy!

Shern Elloise P. Lanoy, 1 year and 5 months old

Question: What's the Visita Iglesia about?

Jesus says: It’s a Lenten tradition where you try to visit 7 churches or religious sites. Some people do it on Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, but you can do it any day of the Holy Week. (Thanks in advance for doing it, My dear child!)

"Why 7?” you might ask. Well, the number 7 is very important in the Bible, and usually symbolizes "perfection.”

Kurt Jaycob Daquel

Question: Why did You have to carry the cross for so far?

Jesus says: It’s simple, dear child — because I love you very much! And so does my Father in Heaven!

"God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ERV)

Kyla Monique Costillas, 12 years old

Question: Why do we call Good Friday good?

Jesus says: You know what? That’s a very good question! Why should we call it "good” if it’s the day on which I died, right?

Well, to put it simply: Good Friday is called good because I was able to do something that I love to do — show My great love for YOU!

"But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” (Romans 5:8, ERV)

Kylie Gabriel Gomez, 5 years old

Question: How did You know that Peter would deny You three times?

Jesus says: My dear child, I know everything! Yes, even what you’re thinking right now, or what you’ll be when you grow up. I’ve been around since the beginning of time!

"God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything.” (1 John 3:20, ERV)

Sabrielle La Salette C. Rosete, 10 months old

Question: When does Lent end?

Jesus says: Lent ends just before what is called the "Mass of the Lord’s Supper” on Holy Thursday evening, but it would be great if you could still do the Lenten practices of fasting and abstinence until Holy Saturday!

Remember, even if Lent has already ended, I’d really love it if you could make sacrifices, do good things, and pray more to Me every single day!

Lynden Reece Ilagan, 5 years old

Question: Where did You go before You rose again from the dead?

Jesus says: Wow, that’s a great question! Actually, it’s My soul that went somewhere — to a place where the dead were. Catholics call it "the Limbo of the Holy Fathers.”

I went there to open Heaven’s gates for all the good people who had died before me — again, because I love you guys a lot!

"When it says, ‘He went up,’ what does it mean? It means that he first came down low to earth.” (Ephesians 4:9, ERV)

Ashley Chloee Villareal-Regala, 3 years old

Question: Why is purple the color of Lent?

Jesus says: When I was being mocked by the Roman soldiers, they placed a purple garment on Me and made fun of Me.

So, when you see the color purple during Lent, please remember how I suffered for you, and how the bad things that you do (we call that "sin”) also "mock” My love for you.

"The soldiers made a crown from thorny branches and put it on his head. Then they put a purple robe around him. They kept coming up to him and saying, ‘Hail to the king of the Jews!’ And they hit him in the face.” (John 19:2-3, ERV)

Mark Paulo Pannette and Allen Genery Pannette

Question: Should we feel sad during Lent?

Jesus says: You might be surprised by this answer: yes and no.

Yes, because you should be sad about the bad things you do, and no, because Lent is the time to prepare for Easter, which is the greatest day in the Church calendar! So, be happy because I love you very, very much!

"The night may be filled with tears, but in the morning we can sing for joy!” (Psalm 30:5, ERV)

Yricka Marthie, 1 year and 4 months old

Question: Why do we call Passion Sunday Palm Sunday too?

Jesus says: On Palm Sunday, dear child, the readings at Mass include the story of My "Passion,” which is the story of My arrest, trial, suffering and finally My death by crucifixion.

Again, I went through all of that because I love you so, so, so much — passionately, crazily!

P.S. You can watch a short cartoon clip of My Passion, Death and Resurrection here.

Miguel Inigo, 3 years old

Question: How did You feel when You were nailed to the cross?

Jesus says: Oh, it was really, really painful, My dear one. But all I did was just trust in My Father, and think of why I let the soldiers nail me to the cross:

Because I love YOU. I want you to be with Me in Heaven. I want you to be healed. I love yah, that’s why!

"Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24, ERV)

Vanellope Cheska Ecto Malanum

Question: Does the Easter Bunny really exist?

Jesus says: Sorry, My sweet child, but… no. You can still have fun on Easter even without the Easter Bunny though! Ask your mom, dad or guardian to check out this cool list of fun Easter activities that you can do!

Ocean Symone E. Relles, 5 years old

Question: Were there Easter eggs on the first Easter Sunday?

Jesus says: No, there weren’t but many people use Easter eggs to remember how I rose again from the dead.

The hard shell of the egg is a symbol of My tomb, and the cracking of the shell symbolizes My rising again (or coming out of the tomb). Cool, huh?

So, go ahead, have fun decorating those Easter eggs!

Xandrea Cayenne Montierro, 2 years old

Question: Why did You have to rise again?

Jesus says:I know you might be tired of hearing this, dear one (but I hope you’re not!): Because I love YOU!

My rising again (or Resurrection) shows you how powerful God is. Also, by rising again, I won over death and sin — I saved YOU, so that you can be with Me forever in Heaven!

"But Christ really has been raised from death—the first one of all those who will be raised. Death comes to people because of what one man did. But now there is resurrection from death because of another man. I mean that in Adam all of us die. And in the same way, in Christ all of us will be made alive again.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, ERV)

Lent and Easter is a perfect time to talk to our kids about your faith, particularly if you’re a Christian. Make the Holy Week extra meaningful by pondering Jesus’s answers to these questions kids have about Lent, and have a blessed Easter season ahead.

20 questions kids ask about Lent

About the author: Tina Santiago-Rodriguez

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