Does anyone reading this celebrate Lent? If not, then why? I grew up with many Catholic friends and have always been impressed with the energy and consistency put forth into the Catholic traditions. Although I've never been a member of a church that participated in the Lenten season, I've written quite a few articles on the subject and conducted several interviews with ministers leading Lenten services. This has culminated in me following Lent a few times in the last decade, and we will be doing so as a family this year.
I'm working on a blog entry for Ash Wednesday and wanted to find out first if anyone else is planning to observe this 40-day season leading into Easter? If not, do you have any other traditions that lead into Easter other than the day of Easter?
Please share...
11 comments:
I have followed Lent every year since high school. I started it because most of my friends from debate were Catholic and observed it and I always felt bad at tournaments if I was drinking a Coke in front of them knowing they gave up caffine or sugar or whatever. I started it really just so I wouldn't tempt them but I still follow to this day because I think it's a really nice tradition and good practice to give up or give back for 40 days. I usually do something tangible - like Coke or desserts or something but this year I am giving up worry, anxiety and self doubt. In fact I started early this year - after I got my first denial letter! For EVERYONE'S sanity this application season - I am observing Lent!
Amy - Do you cut out animal products, go to church on Wed or any other Lenten practices other than giving up something?
I grew up Catholic, but by the time I was old enough to follow the rules I'm sure my Dad wasn't as strict as the church doctrine would have wanted. We always attended Mass to get ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday and were not allowed to wash them off (they had to wear off.) We didn't eat meat on Friday, but we did eat fish. In fact, I don't recall eating much fish the whole rest of the year! The practice of giving something up was always encouraged, but not strictly enforced. I'll have to check with my siblings to see if they had different experiences. (They all attended Catholic elementary school...I didn't)
Christine - Do you still observe Lent?
I don't usually follow the strict diet restrictions. I don't eat red meat but I do still eat chicken. I'm not a huge fish eater although I could do sushi once a week so maybe this year I will try the fish only on Friday! My church doesn't do Wednesday services but I am actually thinking about attending a Catholic church down the street on Wednesday's for their prayer service.
I never observed Lent until I started going to Riverbend. My community group pastor really put a different twist on it and now it is more about taking time to show discipline, meditate and reflect. Here's how he put it:
"My hope is that we would seek more of his presence and, in so doing, have Him reveal areas of our lives we need to heal, grieve, confess, change, reconcile, or petition."
Having said that, I am giving up morning distractions for Lent (TV and radio) I think it will give me more time to be still and give my mind some peace and quiet. My hope is that it will reveal some things in me that I wouldn't have been able to find with all that noise for the hour I am getting dressed.
Are you going to celebrate Lent?
Molly Ann - I am going to celebrate Lent. I just haven't decided to what level I will observe all the practices. Are you planning to attend an Ash Wednesday service? Does Riverbend have those?
I thought I posted this but guess not.
I've actually often wondered why we didn't celebrate lent. But I guess I never researched it either.
I've never understood the whole meaning behind it or how giving up a food or something helped you get closer to God. But that was just my perception from looking in.
As far as Fish on Fridays' I think I'd struggle because all I'd eat is Long John Silvers and that would be bad on other accounts. HAHA
It's interesting seeing the real reasons behind lent. I'll have to give this some thought.
No, we don't observe lent in the traditional ways. We just take the time to teach Jacob about the Holy season and the great sacrifice that was made and the miracle that followed.
Patti is catholic and she gives up things, but she also says you have to be nice i wont be doing this..
Maybe Crabby Patti should give up being crabby.
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