I
imo
Guest
Hello. I make Friday abstinence of meat always. What do you think about repeating this abstinence also on Wednesdays as an special Lent penance?
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T
TheMortenBay
Guest
That would be great, God would love that. Personally I’m gonna up my Friday penance to a regular fast. Last year I fasted every day except Sundays and abstained from meat and sugar. I don’t think I’ll go as hard on myself this year. 
M
Minks
Guest
Go for it!
Abstaining from a pleasure or from something that makes life easier for us is a small way to offer our appreciation and commiseration for the agony and crucifixion that Christ sustained for us.
Abstaining in ways not required by the Church, but of our own volition, is good for honing our self control, dedication, and perseverance. However, we must be careful not to be too ambitious, promising to abstain from more than we can actually maintain. It’s better to deliver on small promises than to break larger ones; we should consider carefully and only make promises that we’re likely to keep.
When I was growing up, in the 40s and 50s, our family abstained from meat or seasoning foods with meat grease on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, and on Fridays and certain other fast days during the rest of the year. If I’m recalling correctly, though, we were only following Church directives that applied to all, except those who engaged in heavy labor, the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those who were ill.
Each one of us also found other favorites from which to abstain each day, especially sweets and radio shows. When television became available, we sacrificed watching our favorite shows.
Best wishes to you in going beyond Church requirements.
Abstaining from a pleasure or from something that makes life easier for us is a small way to offer our appreciation and commiseration for the agony and crucifixion that Christ sustained for us.
Abstaining in ways not required by the Church, but of our own volition, is good for honing our self control, dedication, and perseverance. However, we must be careful not to be too ambitious, promising to abstain from more than we can actually maintain. It’s better to deliver on small promises than to break larger ones; we should consider carefully and only make promises that we’re likely to keep.
When I was growing up, in the 40s and 50s, our family abstained from meat or seasoning foods with meat grease on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, and on Fridays and certain other fast days during the rest of the year. If I’m recalling correctly, though, we were only following Church directives that applied to all, except those who engaged in heavy labor, the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those who were ill.
Each one of us also found other favorites from which to abstain each day, especially sweets and radio shows. When television became available, we sacrificed watching our favorite shows.
Best wishes to you in going beyond Church requirements.
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