Do you still continue your lenten fast on Sunday's during lent?
I never knew growing up that Sunday's were not a part of the 40 days.
I have opened up the comments for this post to hear from you all and what you do. I do have some treat that I am going without on the other days of lent.
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25 comments:
Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.
Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.
In Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and Canada, the days just indicated, together with the Wednesdays of Advent and (28 June) the vigil of Saints Peter and Paul, are fasting days."
Those are the "rules" but it sounds to me like you are spending way more time thinking and worrying about all this than is really necessary. I'm thinking God might want you doing something more productive (like making Pumpkin Damper) LOL
We should guard against the tendency to become legalistic. Or, as my pastor always says, "you do the best you can."
I only learned that "...except Sundays during lent" thing a couple of years ago. When I went to Catholic grade school, I heard from some of my friends that they got to eat candy on Sundays (or do whatever they "gave up"). I was aghast! That's cheating! I am warming to the celebratory nature of Sundays but everything in me tells me that that's cheating! Heehee, old dog-new tricks kind of thing, I guess!
Adrienne,
I am not worrying about if it is okay or not. I am just wondering what other's do. I thought the same thing as Laura. That's cheating but I am glad that we have a chance to do some celebrating now.
I love this time of the year, it's a time to deepen my relationship with God. (It's not at all about worrying about which food to eat when, Adrienne) ;-)
I'm keeping my abstinence (in my case alcohol) on Sundays during Lent. On my blog I'm trying to do a "prayer/poetry/thought of the day" kind of thing. I don't post any of these entry's on Sundays though.
I remember growing up that my parents had whatever they "gave up" on Sundays. I have never heard any logical rational for it though. Do you know what the school of thought is on that?
God Bless,
Jane
Ok - well, if I gave up something for Lent I didn't indulge on Sundays. It was all or nothing. I actually didn't give anything up this year (in the way of food) so didn't have to even think about it.
Swede - I agree it not all about food - just posting the "rules"
...and, thanks for the clock. It keeps me from having to count up on my fingers. What I think is neat is when I am working away and I realize it's already tomorrow for you by a bunch - not just a few hours.
Adrienne, in Canada we are not bound to abstinence from meat on any Friday except Good Friday. It is the most stupid rule! I abstain anyway - it's good discipline.
Also, I have NEVER heard of fasting on Wednesdays in Advent or on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Where did you get this info? (not trying to sound rude but I am truly perplexed!)
Jane, I think the rational for it is every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection.
Well, I have to admit I found that somewhere on the web. I never heard of the Advent or Saints Peter and Paul thing either but figured - what the heck do I know about England or Australia.
I think in the future I'll let Father Speekman inform us of how it's done in Aussie land. I almost emailed him as it was -- wish I had.
And maybe Father Tim can help us with England. We'll need a Canadian priest, too.
Really??????In Canada you only abstain from meat on Good Friday? How come?
I'm a firm believer that we need to go back to the old ways of never eating meat on any Friday. Good for our Catholic idendity.
I have forwarded your last post to Fr. John Adrienne. I am sure he will inform us all.
Angela - Check out Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05789c.htm
Catholic Culture gives New Advent a very good rating.
Bless you, Therese
We abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but not on the other Fridays of Lent. I've never heard the Advent or Peter and Paul thingie either! Sundays are not part of Lent so we 'celebrate'. We fast on the Fridays of Lent and on Ash Wednesday 'cept those who, like me, have begun their 60th year. Hope that helps ...
Adrienne, I found your source and I am very surprised - it's Catholic Encyclopedia at newadvent.org - which I have always considered reliable and orthodox. Maybe they know something I don't?? I am going to research this some more.
We take a "holiday" from our lenten sacrifices on Sundays with one exception this year. I gave up screaming at the kids for lent and when I told them this they asked if I was going to scream at them on Sundays!
We fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat every Friday during lent. Several people I know abstain from meat every Friday of the year and I am cosidering this but have not implemented it yet.
lol. I should give up screaming at the children too Vicki.
We have cut right back on meat in our house. We have meat as a main meal about 3 or 4 times a week.
Therese, like you I grew up in thought of giving up something all of Lent, including the Sundays during Lent. I gave up basically any beverages other than water, milk, decaf coffee, and decaf teas. I feel like I would be setting myself up for failure if I indulged on Sundays. I love having a cup of regular coffee in the morning. If I indulge on Sunday, I think it would be that much harder come Monday morning. Perhaps, I should indulge on Sundays just so Monday mornings are that much harder for me???
GM,
I gave up the message board one year and when Steve asked me if I was going to go on on Sundays I said, no. If I had gone on, I would have caught up with all the news and it would have been harder to not read it all for another week so I know what you mean about making it harder Monday morning. One of the things on my don't have this lent is Coke Zero. It is probably my drink of all times. I had one yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I don't think it has made it harder to go without today.
Even though Sundays are "Little Easters", I choose to continue my Lenten sacrifice. It is a small price to pay for all that Christ suffered for us. My DH and DS do stop their sacrifice and that is okay too. I just need it to grow more spiritually during Lent.
Reading all of the above is sad to say the least.
Could anyone please explain why Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights?
What are we to make of the temptations He then endured?
No, I do not continue my fast on Sundays during Lent. Remember, we cannot both fast and feast at the same time (for those who object to people suspending their fast).
Hi Patty,
Welcome to my blog. I hope you will come back often. I enjoy meeting other's over the internet.
Why did Jesus fast for 40 days and nights? 40 is a pretty significant number in the bible. It rained for 40 days and nights bring about a new world, the Israelites wondered the desert for 40 years and were bought to a new land. It seems to be a time of purification and renewal.
I don't fully understand what you mean when you ask what are we to make of the temptations he endured. Do you mean why did he endure them or what affect does it have on us or something else?
Your blog is interesting. I hope you will pray for me. As a sinner I need all the prayers I can get. I will in turn pray for you too.
Thanks
Therese
Answered this on my blog. Check out my new posting... Thank you Therese! :-)
Thank you for your inspiration! :-)
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