Is it OK to go out on the weekends , like bar/club, out to dinner during lent? I don’t go out too much but I like to on the weekends, and this saturday there is a birthday I want to go to at the bar. But, I feel bad if I have a good time, since it’s during lent.
I don’t think it’s a problem to do that, although i do not personally like bars, but provided it’s a friendly and moral atmosphere, then i’m sure that’s ok,
but don’t think that lent is a time to be miserable, there is no reason you can’t have a good time during lent, it’s just that you don’t want to do those kinds of things often(parties), but the idea of lent is to turn your mind towards the spiritual, and contemplate more on the things of God and on your sins, and how your sins offend and have hurt God, and how you can make reparation for them…and we do that partly by penance and mortification, which are the(mostly) exterior practices, which should be hidden from others, except your spiritual director if you have one, and then we do it also and more importantly by the interior turning of our mind to God and holier things, such as the virtues and other meditations, and frequent examination of conscience…etc.
although don’t take my word for it, i can’t tell you “yes” about being able to go, that is really the place of your priest, so i’d say just ask him.
alright, hope this helps, take care.
