Anyone ever get stuck in "Lent Mode"?

[blackandblue]

Some years, (such as this one), I’m not really ready for Lent to be over, so I stick to my Lenten commitments. Sometimes it’s because I didn’t have the greatest of Lents, I feel like sticking to something else, or I simply have things I still want to work on. I get we are supposed to rejoice during Easter (and I do) but I have a hard time letting go of my Lent commitments sometimes. Anyone ever feel the same?

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Sure, but I usually take on Lenten commitments that I want to continue after Easter. Things like ‘extra’ prayer time compared to what I was doing before Lent. That’s certainly something to keep up after Easter. Practices such as fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays are not unusual spiritual exercises for any season of the year.

You say you rejoice with the celebration of the Resurrection so that’s great. If you’re really worried, though, that your specific practices are contrary to the will of God you should talk with a priest.

 

[puzzledtoo]

I would think being in “lent mode” would be of great benefit. The first that comes to mind is that if one continues with the commitments made for lent it would help the following Lenten seasons become less daunting. It seems that many people are completely freaked out by having to fast and abstain on ash Wednesday and good Friday. Maybe if they did this practice throughout the year it wouldn’t see so harsh. And really the practice of fasting and abstaining as practiced by catholics isn’t all that demanding, but would seem so by some of the pre-lent posts. I would say that in actuality the spiritual practices are much more difficult.
I try to fast 2 times per month. These aren’t anything drastic but they help me to deepen my practice and to not be so agitated if I miss a meal or have to have a meal later than my norm. Blessings.

 

[blackandblue]

I would think being in “lent mode” would be of great benefit. The first that comes to mind is that if one continues with the commitments made for lent it would help the following Lenten seasons become less daunting.

That’s a good thought I guess part of me actually likes Lent so much that it’s hard to give it up (No pun intended) I do have a new goal date that I plan on keeping my commitments to. That should help quite a bit. And then I can keep it going if I feel the need be (new date, etc)

 

[peter26]

One of my Lenten disciplines was to follow the Church’s fasting rules (1 main meal, 2 small meals, no snacks) all of Holy Week rather than just Good Friday. Originally, I was going to stop this at bedtime Good Friday. then it became Noon Holy Saturday as I discovered that this was the traditional time to end Lenten disciplines. Then after the Easter Vigil. It ended up being Easter Monday. And I’ve decided to adopt fasting every Friday from now on. This one has kind of stuck with me.