I did a bad thing (Lent)

[777]

I did my best to give up something for Lent 2005, and I was real good at it for 38 days–until I weakened and failed just now, so I guess I didn’t give up anything for Lent, and what’s worse, nullified my Lenten duty. Any prayers for to be forgiven for the fact I am a failure?:crying:

 

[Fergal]

Give God the victory in this situation by getting up quickly from the fall and starting again. This pleases God so much. Actually it is what made the Saints great.

Confession followed by reception of Holy Communion is the greatest remedy.

 

[Almeria]

Have heart–you’re not a failure! You’re simply human and gave in to temptation. None of us are perfect. Just pick back up where you left off. While most agree that one does not need to go to confession for breaking a Lenten obligation, if you’re really upset about it, go get forgiven for the act. But by no means do you need to stop the fast (or other obligation) because you slipped once.

 

[Fitz]

Start over again and you can go one day longer if it would help you.

 

[DJJG]

Defaulting on your lenten penance (not counting the Friday abstinance and Ash Wed and Good Friday fast) is not a sin :nope: (not even venial) and need not be confessed. There arn’t many who haven’t flubed up or cheated on their lenten penance; if you do - just ask God for more strength and start again. I usually find it is harder to start over once I messed up, but that adds to the penance. :yup:
Good luck, and God Bless you.
P.S.: I messed up this year too.:crying:

 

[Fergal]

Folks, your information here is careless.
We do not know what the Lenten duty was. Maybe the person is trying to break a sinful habit, maybe not.

It is not true to say that Confession is not required if a lenten duty is broken since we do not know what that Lenten duty was.

The heart of the individual concerned knows and has revealed to us that it was ‘a bad thing’. We need not know what that was but we cannot jump and say that Confession is not required. The person alone knows.

If the deed involves a sin against purity in any of its forms the Confession followed by reception of Holy Communion is the best remedy.

Please be careful giving advice especially when you do not know the full facts.

 

[Xav]

Be little like St. Therese. She would sometimes fall asleep during Adoration but realized that Jesus doesn’t find fault with a child.
You are trying and that’s what’s important. Begin again.