Lent - What Can We Eat?

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Greetings,
This year I really want to keep focused on the meaning of Lent and am keeping the image of Jesus fasting forty days in the desert close in mind. In years past I had a hard time deciding what to eat – and frankly think I probably ate more than what is allowed. :o Today for breakfast I had two pieces of toast and a cup of tea. For lunch I brought 2 slices of bread (which I toasted this morning) and will have plenty of water from the watercooler . I am a vegetarian so I will probably have one of my frozen dinners (mac & cheese or manacotti) and tea for supper. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do as an additional penance on Fridays (because I am a vegetarian)? Does it have to be denying myself something or can it be prayer (like praying the sorrowful mysteries)? I am a relatively new Catholic so I am still learning…thank you.
 
You need to buddy.

Hmm. I guess in Islam they also allow the pregnant, sick, children to be exempted from this.

In your case, I think when you recover, you can go on with your fasting.👍
 
Oops. After I had my forehead crossed I ate rice with corned beef. So have I sinned then? I thought I was only prohibited to eat pork meat?
 
Agent said:
I have been ill since Friday with the flu. I did not eat a full meal from Friday to Tuesday. Today, I am just now able to return to work. My question is this: do I still need to keep the fast?
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No, recovering form an illness would excuse you.
 
A lenten wish for my brothers and sisters - may you all have a productive season of learning and growing, giving alms and prayers and being closer to your hopes.
 
Thank you for your response. I had a feeling it would exempt me.

I am still keeping the fast but only because of sickness 😉
 
Newbie2 said:
I see a problem, however, in scheduling such workouts (and these are pretty intense…not a few kids “lose their lunch” during these workouts) on Ash Wednesday. It seems to me that unless these kids eat normally (or perhaps a bit more than usual), they run the risk of hypoglycemia. However, they are supposed to (relative to their age and metabolism; we know that teenage boys eat like horses) participate in the fast.

Is it just me that thinks that way? 🤷
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Persons under the age of 18 are not required to fast, only abstain (14 and up) so I don’t see it’s a problem. Give them good ole mac and chesse!
 
Sometimes, when I return from work being tired, I may forget which day of the week this is, and grab a piece of sausage or salami offerred for tasting in a grocery store promotional campaign. But this happens really rarely and I don’t think that it’s a mortal sin (if you really forgot that it’s friday today, that’s it 🙂

The bad thing was, that usually answers on this forum, regarding fasting rules, are given according to US rules. I checked the apologists answers and was perfectly sure that we can eat meat dishes at “ordinary” fridays, but later discovered that for Russia, the rule was never changed and we have to abstain from meat during all fridays! (except the solemnities of course)
I felt really stupid 😦
 
Inity said:
Sometimes, when I return from work being tired, I may forget which day of the week this is, and grab a piece of sausage or salami offerred for tasting in a grocery store promotional campaign. But this happens really rarely and I don’t think that it’s a mortal sin (if you really forgot that it’s friday today, that’s it 🙂

The bad thing was, that usually answers on this forum, regarding fasting rules, are given according to US rules. I checked the apologists answers and was perfectly sure that we can eat meat dishes at “ordinary” fridays, but later discovered that for Russia, the rule was never changed and we have to abstain from meat during all fridays! (except the solemnities of course)
I felt really stupid 😦
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Yup, too many of us Americans here on the forums! 😉 Sorry for the confusion! :o
 
Today was my first Ash Wednesday celebration also. I am also in RCIA, and I was so looking forward to going to church today to receive the Blessed Ashes.
Today I had a bananna for breakfast and some instant oatmeal, then for lunch I had a bowl of oyster/artichoke soup and 2 biscuits and then for dinner I had a handful of ruffles and some fritos and a bowl of 15bean soup with cheese an onions on it.

I drank Iced tea with both meals and had coffee this morning.

I hope I did not over do it.

We had a beautiful service this evening 5:30 Louisiana time. The church was packed.

What a wonderful experience, I only wish I was raised Catholic.
 
I’m really craving some McDonald’s chicken mcnuggets…

Can I go to Mickey Ds after midnight?

or do I have to wait till I go to sleep and wake up tomorrow?
 
You can have chicken mcnuggets after midnight, unless your very craving for the nuggets makes you decide it’s a beneficial penance to wait until morning.

The first is according to the letter of the law, the second is responding to the spirit of the law.
 
I’d wait until morning, because Lent is all about penance and penance helps us mortify ourselves, which in turn helps us overcome temptaions and remain faithful to Christ.
 
Inity said:
Sometimes, when I return from work being tired, I may forget which day of the week this is, and grab a piece of sausage or salami offerred for tasting in a grocery store promotional campaign. But this happens really rarely and I don’t think that it’s a mortal sin (if you really forgot that it’s friday today, that’s it 🙂

The bad thing was, that usually answers on this forum, regarding fasting rules, are given according to US rules. I checked the apologists answers and was perfectly sure that we can eat meat dishes at “ordinary” fridays, but later discovered that for Russia, the rule was never changed and we have to abstain from meat during all fridays! (except the solemnities of course)
I felt really stupid 😦
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Been there, done that.

Because I work retail, I have to be available 7 days a week. So except for remembering Sunday Mass, all the days blur together for me, especially by the end of a shift. I went once to the grocery store next door to pick up some stuff, and was offered a sausage-on-a-cracker thingy, which I almost ate, but luckily realized “when” (as opposed to “where”) I was, and declined.

On the other hand, last year I was trying to find out if an exemption was being granted by the Archdiocese because St Paddy’s Day had been moved to a Friday, and I’m an Irish(-descent) Catholic baptized at St Patrick’s and have Patrick as my confirmation patron…etc etc. Well, after about 10 minutes on hold, I was informed that, no, the rules for abstinence were still in force in Canada.

That had all been rendered moot, mind you, because I was absently chewing on a stray piece of kielbassa I found in the fridge while I was waiting on hold… :embarrassed:
 
I’m sure you can get meat of some kind 😃 I had a good plateful of ham and eggs myself (I’m in Australia, earlier time zone)
 
Eucharisted said:
I’d wait until morning, because Lent is all about penance and penance helps us mortify ourselves, which in turn helps us overcome temptaions and remain faithful to Christ.
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I would echo this. The fasting is supposed to continue until you go to bed, or actually, until breakfast (read that as “break fast”) the next morning. not some arbitrary time on a clock.
 
rpp said:
I would echo this. The fasting is supposed to continue until you go to bed, or actually, until breakfast (read that as “break fast”) the next morning. not some arbitrary time on a clock.
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Normally I would; I have a midterm tomorrow and chances are strong I won’t be sleeping at all tonight. Fasting today has left me weak and hungry… and really wanting some chicken nuggets.
 
Jsmith17 said:
Normally I would; I have a midterm tomorrow and chances are strong I won’t be sleeping at all tonight. Fasting today has left me weak and hungry… and really wanting some chicken nuggets.
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Try to find a vegetarian or seafood solution. Consider a filet o’ fish. Resisting the temptation for chicken mcNuggets will only help you to grow spiritually.
 
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