Hey Deacon!

My wife, Beth, was conversing with our good family friend, Mudassar, while I was away on a Cursillo weekend retreat. Beth was telling Mudassar, who is Muslim, that she was making Lasagna. He texted back, “That sounds delicious. You’re making me hungry already. I am fasting for Ramadan. I have one more week to go.” 

Many people may not be overly familiar with “Ramadan” including myself. This year, the two religious observances, Lent and Ramadan, greatly overlap – this alignment occurs roughly every 33 years. Both share many similarities, such as fasting and prayer, but are very different in their spiritual significance and their respective practices. For Muslins, it is one of their most religious observances. Likewise, Lent is a very important time for Christians. Let’s take a little closer look at both observances. 

One of the most significant differences between Lent and Ramadan is their timing. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 (46) days, leading up to Easter Sunday. The timing of Lent is calculated based on the spring equinox, which falls between March 19 and 22. In contrast, Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows a lunar cycle. As a result, the dates of Ramadan change every year. During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn until sunset for the entire 30 days.

The practice of fasting during these periods differs significantly. For observant Muslims, Ramadan requires total abstinence from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset for an entire month. This daily “dry” fast is a significant physical challenge. By contrast, our Catholic Lent has seen its meal fasting requirements significantly relaxed over time. Today, our fasting is limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstaining from meat on Lenten Fridays. The emphasis is generally placed more on voluntary renunciation and acts of charity rather than systematic deprivation. 

The purpose of Lent and Ramadan also differs. Lent is deeply rooted in a penitential framework. This period invites believers to acknowledge their sins and experience complete dependence on God through humility and inner renunciation. Ramadan, on the other hand, places more emphasis on spiritual refinement and the cultivation of virtues. Muslims engage in an upward spiritual journey, actively striving to “tame the ego” in pursuit of an ideal of moral perfection, often quantifying their daily spiritual efforts.

One of the more striking aspects of Ramadan, particularly to Christians, is the joy with which Muslims anticipate and observe the 30 days. Whereas Lent is a time of quiet, penitential reflection for Christians, Ramadan is a time of spiritual and physical refreshment for Muslims. It is a time to put aside the burdens and cares of everyday life and to focus on what really matters. 

Lent and Ramadan are two of the world's most important religious observances, observed by millions of people worldwide. Lent is a time of preparation and penance leading up to Easter, while Ramadan is a time of heightened spirituality and purification. Regardless of these differences, both practices provide an opportunity for individuals to deepen their spiritual connection with God and draw closer to their faith.

Author Bio:
 Deacon Dan Vaughn