Quadragesima Sunday

Quadragesima Sunday (Latin: Dominica in Quadragesima, "Sunday in the Fortieth"), also known as Invocabit Sunday, is the traditional name for the First Sunday of Lent in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Observed approximately forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays), after Ash Wednesday, it marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Quadragesima Sunday may occur as early as February 8 or as late as March 14.

The term Quadragesima is derived from the Latin word for "fortieth", as there are exactly forty days from Quadragesima Sunday until Good Friday. However, like Quinquagesima, Sexagesima and Septuagesima, the numeral is more likely an approximation of how many days there are until Easter Sunday, in this case 42. While Quadragesima includes both Sundays and weekdays, the beginning of Lent was later changed to the preceding Wednesday, "Ash Wednesday", to get in forty weekdays.

'Invocabit' is the opening word of the introit for the day.

In both the ordinary form of the Roman rite and common English parlance it is known as the First Sunday of Lent.

In the Eastern Churches, the first Sunday of Lent is referred to as the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The designation of Quadragesima Sunday dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, when Lent evolved as a formalized period of preparation for Easter. By the 4th century, influenced by the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and subsequent liturgical standardization, a 40-day fast emerged in imitation of Christ’s 40 days in the desert, Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai, and the 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.

The name of Feast of Orthodoxy commemorates, after 120 years of iconoclasm, the definitive restoration of the holy icons on Sunday, March 11, 843.

The term "Quadragesima" appears in medieval liturgical texts, such as the Missale Romanum. Prior to the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), Quadragesima Sunday was universally recognized as the First Sunday of Lent in Western Christianity. The Tridentine Mass, codified in 1570 by Pope Pius V, preserved its traditional structure, including the Introit "Invocabit me" (from Psalm 90:15–16) and the tract "Qui habitat." The penitential character of the day was further emphasized by the omission of the Gloria and the use of violet vestments.