How to properly observe the season of lent?

[Timi_Celcer]

This will be my first “true” lent since i deepened my faith and re-converted back to Catholicsm. How do i properly celebrate lent? Note that im 15 years old, so every strict fasting doesn’t include me.

Do i have to go to confession a day before Ash Wednesday, what is required to do on Ash Wednesday, are all days of Lent days of fasting or only fridays, which days of Lent are obligatory to go to mass and which are the days when you cant go to mass, is meat the only thing to abstain in times of Lent, or eggs and others too? Just throw as much information as you can about what to do on Lent.

 

[Razanir]

Do i have to go to confession a day before Ash Wednesday

You don’t have to, but there’s also no such thing as too much Confession (unless you have scruples)

what is required to do on Ash Wednesday

Because you’re 15, you have to abstain from meat. However, you aren’t required to fast until you turn 18. (Abstaining from meat is from now on, fasting is until you turn 59)

are all days of Lent days of fasting or only fridays

The only two days you fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Contrast with abstaining from meat on all Fridays, not just during Lent.

which days of Lent are obligatory to go to mass

Well, Sundays of course. And that inherently includes Easter. Contrary to what some believe, I don’t think Ash Wednesday is a HDO anywhere in the world.

which are the days when you cant go to mass

Good Friday and Holy Saturday are the only two days in the year on which no Mass is offered. (Except, of course, the Easter Vigil, but that properly belongs to Easter Sunday. It just happens to fall on Holy Saturday on the calendar)

is meat the only thing to abstain in times of Lent, or eggs and others too?

Flesh of mammals and birds. Traditionally, meat gravies and broths are avoided as well. Fish, reptiles, and amphibians are fine. As are eggs, cheese, gelatin, and other animal products. In short, if it meets a pescatarian diet (vegetarian + fish), you’re probably fine.

 

[tawny]

You don’t have to, but there’s also no such thing as too much Confession (unless you have scruples)

Because you’re 15, you have to abstain from meat. However, you aren’t required to fast until you turn 18. (Abstaining from meat is from now on, fasting is until you turn 59)

The only two days you fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Contrast with abstaining from meat on all Fridays, not just during Lent.

Well, Sundays of course. And that inherently includes Easter. Contrary to what some believe, I don’t think Ash Wednesday is a HDO anywhere in the world.

Good Friday and Holy Saturday are the only two days in the year on which no Mass is offered. (Except, of course, the Easter Vigil, but that properly belongs to Easter Sunday. It just happens to fall on Holy Saturday on the calendar)

Flesh of mammals and birds. Traditionally, meat gravies and broths are avoided as well. Fish, reptiles, and amphibians are fine. As are eggs, cheese, gelatin, and other animal products. In short, if it meets a pescatarian diet (vegetarian + fish), you’re probably fine.

Well explained for him.

 

[pianistclare]

You don’t have to, but there’s also no such thing as too much Confession (unless you have scruples)

Because you’re 15, you have to abstain from meat. However, you aren’t required to fast until you turn 18. (Abstaining from meat is from now on, fasting is until you turn 59)

The only two days you fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Contrast with abstaining from meat on all Fridays, not just during Lent.

Well, Sundays of course. And that inherently includes Easter. Contrary to what some believe, I don’t think Ash Wednesday is a HDO anywhere in the world.

Good Friday and Holy Saturday are the only two days in the year on which no Mass is offered. (Except, of course, the Easter Vigil, but that properly belongs to Easter Sunday. It just happens to fall on Holy Saturday on the calendar)

Flesh of mammals and birds. Traditionally, meat gravies and broths are avoided as well. Fish, reptiles, and amphibians are fine. As are eggs, cheese, gelatin, and other animal products. In short, if it meets a pescatarian diet (vegetarian + fish), you’re probably fine.

All of the above^^^^ YES!
And…
I might add from a spiritual standpoint…I always attend a daily Mass, and spend more time contemplating the readings…I spend quiet time in reflective and contemplative prayer, I force myself to be silent for a period of time each day, I turn down the “volume” of my life. What I mean is, I listen to rock music less, I watch less tv, I try to unclutter my days. You kind of have to do this in order to set aside time for Mass, prayer, or devotions, like the Stations of the Cross, which I make a point to do on Fridays.
I also take up some little “extra” ministry…like this Lent, I’m going to write to a person on death row. Nothing huge, just a note reminding them of God’s mercy and a promise to pray for their soul. You might volunteer a couple of times at a soup kitchen for the homeless, or work with an adult in your church nursery or cry room, if that is permitted.
Even just making a couple of sandwiches for a needy person and delivering them, yard work for an elderly neighbor. Something to offer to Jesus in memory of His passion.
I’m sure you’ll come up with something that will be meaningful to your particular situation. Even if it’s within your own home…having a hot beverage ready for your dad when he returns from work, or doing a couple of loads of laundry for mom.
Have a fruitful Lenten season, and many blessings to you. You are great example for teens here!
pianist

 

[babochka]

This will be my first “true” lent since i deepened my faith and re-converted back to Catholicsm. How do i properly celebrate lent? Note that im 15 years old, so every strict fasting doesn’t include me.

Do i have to go to confession a day before Ash Wednesday, what is required to do on Ash Wednesday, are all days of Lent days of fasting or only fridays, which days of Lent are obligatory to go to mass and which are the days when you cant go to mass, is meat the only thing to abstain in times of Lent, or eggs and others too? Just throw as much information as you can about what to do on Lent.

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are traditional ways to observe lent.

The Church gives us minimum observances in order to ensure that each of us benefits spiritually from these practices, but we are always encouraged to do more, in accordance with our ability and our state in life. All Fridays during lent are days of abstinence, but we do not have to limit ourselves to abstaining on the days required by the Church.

Going to Confession during Lent is certainly encouraged, but it is not required to go on the day before Ash Wednesday.

 

[Brooklyn]

Traditionally, meat gravies and broths are avoided as well. Fish, reptiles, and amphibians are fine. As are eggs, cheese, gelatin, and other animal products. In short, if it meets a pescatarian diet (vegetarian + fish), you’re probably fine.

I googled this and found this on the US Bishops website, which you can find HERE:

Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I’m not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products?

A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. **Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. ** **However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). **Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.

 

[Razanir]

**Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. ** **However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). **

Right. That’s where I got it from. By “traditionally avoided” I was trying to imply that they’re in a separate group that some people still abstain from, although we aren’t strictly required to.

 

[OraLabora]

In the Rule of St. Benedict, it stipulates that the abbot will assign each monk a spiritual book to be read during Lent…

This year, our new oblate director assigned us to read the Holy Father’s Evangelii Gaudium during Lent.

I think it’s a nice (and 1500 year old!) tradition; so you might want to ask your priest or spiritual director (if you have one) to recommend you a book for Lent; failing that you could choose one yourself, something that will deepen your faith.

 

[Miguelmdza]

In the Rule of St. Benedict, it stipulates that the abbot will assign each monk a spiritual book to be read during Lent…

This year, our new oblate director assigned us to read the Holy Father’s Evangelii Gaudium during Lent.

I think it’s a nice (and 1500 year old!) tradition; so you might want to ask your priest or spiritual director (if you have one) to recommend you a book for Lent; failing that you could choose one yourself, something that will deepen your faith.

This sounds great! This will be my “official” lent season (baptized in 2013). I would recomend Lent with the Sacred Heart.

 

[UbiCaritas15]

This will be my first “true” lent since i deepened my faith and re-converted back to Catholicsm. How do i properly celebrate lent? Note that im 15 years old, so every strict fasting doesn’t include me.

Do i have to go to confession a day before Ash Wednesday, what is required to do on Ash Wednesday, are all days of Lent days of fasting or only fridays, which days of Lent are obligatory to go to mass and which are the days when you cant go to mass, is meat the only thing to abstain in times of Lent, or eggs and others too? Just throw as much information as you can about what to do on Lent.

I spent 14 years outside of the Church, so I can identify with wanting to make a good Lent . Your age is no biggie, but perhaps if you don’t fix your meals fasting might not be something for you to do.

I did fast, from sugar, for my first Lent. If the body is a temple, and we are working towards eternity, we can try to make more right choices with food.

I also added a daily rosary, because I wanted to get back into the habit of daily prayer and I felt focusing on the mysteries of Christ worked well for me.

Of the most importance is understanding that who we are is a journey towards union with Christ. Whatever we can do to make that a bigger part of our daily lives is a great thing to focus on in Lent. Happy Lent!

 

[NextElement]

Exactly what are the requirements for fasting during Lent? How do you do it? Sorry about my ignorance, I’m 18 and wanting to finally celebrate Lent properly this year

 

[Lily235]

As far as I know for fasting, the minimum requirements are:

• You may eat one regular meal.
• If needed, you can also eat up to two additional smaller meals.
• These additional meals added together may not exceed the regular meal.
• “Food” means solids, semi-solids, and nutritious liquids. So have all the tea you want, but no milk of juice.

If you are accustomed to eating three meals per day without snacking, this will not be all that difficult. Just pick two and eat less than usual at them. I usually put off breakfast for as long as possible (usually until hunger gets too distracting) and then try to only eat 2 meals. You can also do a more strict fast if you want, such as a full fast from all food, bread and water only, liquids only, or whatever you can come up with.