Is it okay to attend a dance during Lent?

[Mama_Euny]

We have friends who host a barn dance almost every month. It’s a great social opportunity for our young people. It is highly supervised. No young people are allowed to leave the building by themselves or in couples. All the dances are reels, square dancing, or some ballroom type dance—all very proper. Some dance lessons are taught and then the kids and adults enjoy learning and the exercise involved.

My husband claims it is inappropriate to enjoy dancing during Lent. I think it’s just good fun and exercise. I would appreciate your thoughts on the penitential nature of Lent and whether this activity should be skipped during Lent.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Your husband is free to skip the dance if he does not want to participate during Lent, but he should not be attempting to bind anyone else’s conscience with his scruples. The Church does not require Catholics to abstain from dancing during Lent, so neither should he.

If the question is whether your own kids should attend the dance, in my opinion the judgment of the parent who is not unnecessarily scrupling should prevail in matters of conscience. Since you think it is acceptable for Catholics to dance during Lent, and since the Church does not require anyone to abstain from this activity during Lent, your judgment in the matter is the one that should prevail and your husband should support you in presenting the decision to the children. He is still free to stay home, if he wishes.