At Sexagesima, individuals are encouraged to evaluate their current spiritual state and prepare themselves to enter the season of Lent.

[1] The name "Sexagesima" is derived from the Latin sexagesimus, meaning "sixtieth", and appears to be a back-formation of Quinquagesima, the term formerly used to denote the last Sunday before Lent.

[4] Following the Second Vatican Council, Sexagesima and the other pre-Lent Sundays were eliminated in the new Roman Catholic liturgical calendar.

Most provinces of the Anglican Communion later followed in abolishing Sexagesima and the other pre-Lent Sundays, though they are retained wherever the Prayer Book Calendar is followed.

The earlier form of the Roman Rite, with its references to Quinquagesima, Sexagesima and Septuagesima, continues to be observed in some communities.