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How was Lent connected to the baptism of new Christians in the early church?

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Church year A church altar decorated with saint icons for All Saints' Day.

In the early church, the Lenten season was fundamentally rooted in the preparation of candidates for baptism at the Paschal vigil.1

During this period, those seeking to join the church, known as catechumens, underwent intensive instruction in the Christian faith. Each of these instructional sessions was accompanied by prayer and exorcism. By the 4th century, this instruction was typically conducted by a bishop, and candidates were introduced to the Gospels, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer through a series of formal "scrutinies".1

The season culminated in a strict fast observed by both the faithful and the catechumens on the Friday and Saturday immediately preceding Easter, marking the time "when the Bridegroom was taken away". This period of preparation ensured that candidates were spiritually and doctrinally ready for their initiation into the church.1