Breaking Penance

[Found_My_Way]

I have a question, but here’s the background first. This year for Lent, I decided I would fast three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), and spend the time I would normally spend on my lunch break at work “researching” aspects of Catholicism that I’m still not 100% sure about. Here’s my question, well, there’s 3…

1. We had an ice cream party here at work because the “home market” had a fantastic month in sales. I ate one of the fruit bars instead of the snickers/drumsticks/klondike bars just cause I’m a health nut like that. Well, today being a Friday, it’s a fast day for me. I realized this as I was eating the very last part of my popsicle. Would that be considered breaking penance? If so, what should I do to ‘right’ it?
2. If I’ve already decided on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for my fasting days, and I know there’s something going on one of those days, would it be acceptable for me to switch a day?

Thanks!

 

[benedictgal]

There are three components to our Lenten regimen.

The first one is additional prayer time. That can either be going to Mass during the week (daily Mass apart from our Sunday obligation), praying the Rosary, praying the Stations of the Cross or spending time in adoration. This helps us to restore and perfect our relationship with God. In other words, we are giving Him more face time.

The second component comes in self-mortification, which is what you are trying to do. We should be the masters of our bodies, not the other way around. This should help curb our selfishness and, in a sense, work to restore our proper relationship with ourselves.

The third component is performing an act of charity for a neighbor (and this can be the person next to you at work, your relatives, friends, or someone far away through a monetary donation). This helps us to restore our relationships with other people.

The whole idea behind the Lenten regimen is not to make us spiritually buff, but, to help prepare us for Holy Week. You cannot have one without the other. Holy Week is the Church’s most important time of the year. This is the moment of our redemption, anticipated from the very beginnings of the history of salvation. The Lenten regimen helps us to keep our eyes fixed towards Holy Week so that when it comes, we can look at it with new and wondrous eyes and experience it with fresh hearts.

Set realistic goals for yourself. You do not have to do grand and glorious things. Keep it simple. For several years now, I have tried to give up shopping for Lent, but, it never works out, especially when I see a new Bare Escentuals product that I cannot live without for the moment (and then, I get pink eye). I am trying to pray more, eat less and be a lot nicer around people.

I hope this helps.

 

[rayne89]

A personal penance not imposed by the church leaves the options to you. You may change your penance anytime you wish or add or substitute a penance however you feel is best.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I’m really baaad at fasting, especially when I’m not feeling good (and today’s one of those days).

So far today I’ve stuck to my fast, but I am eagerly awaiting sushi.

Our church has collections of food, clothing, et cetera each week during Lent. We also continue with regular donations and I’ve added a couple of daily prayers to my routine.

But here’s what I do when I feel I can’t fast: every day so far, I’ve given up some little thing, whether it’s a favorite TV program, being warm, being comfortable.

Also gave up potato chips for the whole Lenten season. I know it’s not much but I try.

 

[thistle]

I have a question, but here’s the background first. This year for Lent, I decided I would fast three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), and spend the time I would normally spend on my lunch break at work “researching” aspects of Catholicism that I’m still not 100% sure about. Here’s my question, well, there’s 3…

1. We had an ice cream party here at work because the “home market” had a fantastic month in sales. I ate one of the fruit bars instead of the snickers/drumsticks/klondike bars just cause I’m a health nut like that. Well, today being a Friday, it’s a fast day for me. I realized this as I was eating the very last part of my popsicle. Would that be considered breaking penance? If so, what should I do to ‘right’ it?
2. If I’ve already decided on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for my fasting days, and I know there’s something going on one of those days, would it be acceptable for me to switch a day?

Thanks!

You are only required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All other fasting is voluntary and you may do whatever you want.