Mardi Gras Follow-up is the period of time after Mardi Gras, which is also known as LENT. LENT is a 40-day period of fasting and prayer that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. During this time, many Christians abstain from certain foods and activities in order to focus on spiritual reflection and repentance. The word LENT is derived from the Old English word for 'SPRING' and is a time of preparation for Easter.