Question about Catholics and Lent

[Tommy999]

There are many things we can and should do during Lent in addition to our Catholic obligations; works of mercy, giving alms to the poor, etc… Anything that requires some sacrifice on our behalf. I know at least one poster here who gave up CAF for Lent just last year. The idea is to experience some suffering through sacrifice as we remember how Christ suffered for us through his sacrifice. But in addition to giving something up we should also DO something for our neighbor, especially the poor and suffering.

Yeah, well, I have my own views on the fish fries. It’s usually a good fund raiser for the Knights of Columbus so from that standpoint it’s fine. But there is still something about giving up meat on Friday and instead pigging out on fish, fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, cake and ice cream that just doesn’t sit well with me. While abstaining is not fasting, it always seemed to me that it should be some kind of sacrifice, small as it is. After a fish dinner like that, I don’t feel I have sacrificed anything in giving up meat, all I have done is indulge in a meal that I enjoy more than meat and gained a few pounds in the process.

Good point. “Endless Shrimp” at the local seafood restaurant doesn’t exactly sound like the biggest sacrifice in the world.

 

[Tommy999]

If one gives up something, it should be something one really enjoys and would actually have to sacrifice to not have. For example, giving up ice cream if you eat it every day might qualify, giving up ice cream when you are lactose intolerant and only eat it once in a great while, even though you really like it would not be a sacrifice.

As one gets older, Lent Sacrifice might be more in the vein of doing something instead of giving something up. Perhaps saying a rosary every day, spending more time in prayer and study, being extra patient with family members, taking a friend or family member who doesn’t have a car shopping, especially when it means you can’t watch your favorite TV show, donating money saved from not eating something to your parish or mission, etc.

Self-denial is an important part of the Christian life. While we may not be able to practice self-denial in the same way Christ did, these little sacrafices during lent and and should help us grow closer to Christ.

Very well said, Sally. I agree 100%.

However, I wish you hadn’t used the ice cream example. That hits a little too close to home for me. My wife accuses me of programming our local ice cream store into the GPS of my car to where the car seems to find its way there automatically.

 

[Try2BeHumble]

The few Catholics I know all tend to give up something for Lent (candy,etc), get ashes placed on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday, and eat fish on Friday during Lent. I have no objections to any of these things and find them admirable in a lot of ways. It shows a level of sacrifice and discipline beyond normal daily life.

Question:
Are these acts required of all Catholics like the Sunday obligation or are they recommendations only-- - to grow closer to Christ and help the believer identify more with Christ’s sufferings?

Follow up question:
What are typical things Catholics give up for Lent or other things that are done during Lent that are “above and beyond” the call of duty? Thanks.

Do the Lutherans, Anglicans, or other protestant denominations have similar Lenten practices or customs?

I would also like to add that you don’t have to necessarily give something up you can add something on. For example maybe you pray an extra rosary a week or you volunteer more at a local charity. Lent is a very reflective time to see how is your spiritual life, relationship with Jesus and others going. How can it improve? It’s amazing when you take away something how after lent you realize you didn’t really miss or need it as much in your life as you did before lent. I think we should do reflections like this throughout the year.

 

[sallybutler]

Very well said, Sally. I agree 100%.

However, I wish you hadn’t used the ice cream example. That hits a little too close to home for me. My wife accuses me of programming our local ice cream store into the GPS of my car to where the car seems to find its way there automatically.

I’m the lactose intolerant person who sometimes eats ice cream knowing what it will do to me. Giving up ice cream for me might be less of a sacrifice and more of a health benefit

 

[Tommy999]

I would also like to add that you don’t have to necessarily give something up you can add something on. For example maybe you pray an extra rosary a week or you volunteer more at a local charity. Lent is a very reflective time to see how is your spiritual life, relationship with Jesus and others going. How can it improve? It’s amazing when you take away something how after lent you realize you didn’t really miss or need it as much in your life as you did before lent. I think we should do reflections like this throughout the year.

Yes, good insights Try2BeHumble. We all possess things but we should always ask for God’s help in making sure those things don’t possess us, like money, for example.

 

[captainrick]

For Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians, no meat, chicken or fish is permitted throughout all of Lent. Dairy is also prohibited. So vegan diet for the whole period.

That seems to make more sense. I always wondered why, long ago, it was decided that fish was not “meat.” Maybe the original term indicated land animals rather than all meat?

 

[utah_rose]

It’s not just about the giving something up. There’s way more to Lent than no meat on Friday

I like to think of it as stopping something to replace it with something that helps me get closer to God. Even little things, like, instead of playing on my iPad before work (I have an hour wait) I will pray (the Rosary ).

Maybe less reading about hockey, more reading Michelle Arnold. Bed before the third period is over so I can hold my wife (who works earlier than I do.)

More games with the kids instead of watching netflix.

I know, not a lot of holy things there, but, being closer to the family i neglect must count in God’s eyes.

The call of duty for me isn’t something that starts and ends with Lent. Unfortunately, I am a week man and my holiness usually only pops us a little during Lent.

All are welcome to join it

I think sometimes doing something extra by being more patient and kind towards people, reading Scripture more is sometimes harder, although I’ve given up listening yo my IPOD and that’s hard!

Today had a luncheon to go at a steak house! That was really difficult for me although I usually eat chicken. It’s true, giving up meat on Friday does have us focus on Jesus’s Passion.

 

[pianistclare]

I would also like to add that you don’t have to necessarily give something up you can add something on. For example maybe you pray an extra rosary a week or you volunteer more at a local charity. Lent is a very reflective time to see how is your spiritual life, relationship with Jesus and others going. How can it improve? It’s amazing when you take away something how after lent you realize you didn’t really miss or need it as much in your life as you did before lent. I think we should do reflections like this throughout the year.

The “adding something on” is a recent innovation from some of the clergy.
It still does force one wit “give up” their time in order to facilitate the addition though. So, in a sense, we’re still sacrificing tie, effort, and being more selfless, which is the whole point.
Giving up is easier for young people to manage. It’s all to easy to say we’ll do more charitable work, but for the young people, they are often at a loss to figure out how to do that.
It’s far easier for them to forego video time, tv time, gossip, and the like.
Peace!

 

[Adonia]

And alms. Giving alms is a very important part of the Lenten journey. For me, it is the only time of the year that I will give cash to any homeless or down on their luck person. For the rest of the year when I come across them, I will only provide them with food.

 

[ExMethodist]

I wasn’t aware of that. Nice little trivia item I might take out and use sometime.

And at the owner’s prerogative, some Chick-Fil-A locations serve fish sandwiches or fish filets now during Lent.

 

[Per_Crucem]

That seems to make more sense. I always wondered why, long ago, it was decided that fish was not “meat.” Maybe the original term indicated land animals rather than all meat?

I’ve seen a few different theories on it. The one that seems to be the most widespread is that in the Middle Ages, fish was a very common staple of the diet, whereas meat was very expensive and used only for celebrations. Since Lent is not a time of celebration, meat was off limits but fish was okay.

 

[ExMethodist]

That seems to make more sense. I always wondered why, long ago, it was decided that fish was not “meat.” Maybe the original term indicated land animals rather than all meat?

I’ve heard it is because fish are cold blooded. Also, the archdiocese in New Orleans has clarified at the request of people in Louisiana inquiring about it that gator is not meat.

 

[Adonia]

I’ve heard it is because fish are cold blooded. Also, the archdiocese in New Orleans has clarified at the request of people in Louisiana inquiring about it that gator is not meat.

If I remember right, when I was a kid in the 60’s the rule in normal times was fish on Friday - a pre Vatican II rule I suppose. And I can remember a lot of stores were not open on Sunday either. We took our religion seriously back then.

 

[Ignatius]

Ignatius;12820745:

Tommy999:

.The few Catholics I know all tend to give up something for Lent (candy,etc), get ashes placed on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday

No they are strictly voluntary-- - to become less attached to those passing things of this earth and grow closer to Christ and the things that are Eternal.

I typically try to do things that will help me grow spiritually, more time in scripture reading, I typically set an extra hour and 1/2 per week (15 min / day) more in spripture reading plus more prayer and fasting. I also try to do things that will help others, volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Yes, prior to about the 1800’s virtually every Christian denomination participated in the preparation for the Pascal season and the Resurrection of Our Lord. But remember, that was only a couple of centuries after the Protestant reformation in the 16th century. As Protestantism continued to fracture and more and more denominations split off from the original and more and more split off from them, more and more of what was passed on form The Apostles was lost. Very sad. But also remember, you are free to reestablish these practices, so all is not lost.

God bless.

Sorry, but not so:

Canon 1251
“Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We are actually obligated to abstain from meat on all Fridays, according to Canon law.

Hi Steve,
I was just referring to Tommy’s question about “… give up something for Lent (candy,etc), get ashes placed on their foreheads on Ash Wednesdays”

 

[captainrick]

If I remember right, when I was a kid in the 60’s the rule in normal times was fish on Friday - a pre Vatican II rule I suppose. And I can remember a lot of stores were not open on Sunday either. We took our religion seriously back then.

I went to a public high school in the 60s, where at least 80% of the students were Protestants, and even there the cafeteria served only fish on Fridays!

 

[Tommy999]

I went to a public high school in the 60s, where at least 80% of the students were Protestants, and even there the cafeteria served only fish on Fridays!

Maybe the cooks were Catholic or those who created the meal plan

At my work location, I am pretty sure most of the people either are non-church goers or it is a mixed bag of Protestant and Catholic workers but fish is the main dish at the entrée station on Fridays during Lent and fish-and-chips is the main item at the grill, although they will make someone who wants it a custom-made burger or other non-fish item a-la-carte if they request it. However, the default is fish in terms of hot meal choice and I have no problem with it.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Not actually required, except abstinence from meat.

But giving up something for Lent frees us from a distraction and helps us focus on our Lenten mission.

Candy is one of the common things people give up; my mother gave up the crossword puzzles in the newspaper.

My mom always taught us that what you give up for Lent should be something you’d notice every day. It should be something that jars you out of your normal routine to bring you around to remembering the meaning behind it. She always seemed to come up with something to change in our morning routine so we started out the day remembering it was Lent. In grade school our morning routine included watching Captain Kangaroo during Lent we didn’t, or our cookies we noticeably absent at lunch. In high school we walked to school instead of riding the bus.

 

[zaffiroborant]

I went to a public high school in the 60s, where at least 80% of the students were Protestants, and even there the cafeteria served only fish on Fridays!

My kids public school has never ever offered fish any day of the week but during lent Fridays have always had cheese pizza. The last ten years have been cheese pizza during lent.

 

[zaffiroborant]

If I remember right, when I was a kid in the 60’s the rule in normal times was fish on Friday - a pre Vatican II rule I suppose. And I can remember a lot of stores were not open on Sunday either. We took our religion seriously back then.

Well it didn’t have to be fish it could be Mac and cheese, or omelets or spaghetti with tomato sauce, but I think you’re right it used to be every Friday year round.

 

[spedteacherita]

The few Catholics I know all tend to give up something for Lent (candy,etc), get ashes placed on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday, and eat fish on Friday during Lent. I have no objections to any of these things and find them admirable in a lot of ways. It shows a level of sacrifice and discipline beyond normal daily life.

Question:
Are these acts required of all Catholics like the Sunday obligation or are they recommendations only-- - to grow closer to Christ and help the believer identify more with Christ’s sufferings?

Follow up question:
What are typical things Catholics give up for Lent or other things that are done during Lent that are “above and beyond” the call of duty? Thanks.

Do the Lutherans, Anglicans, or other protestant denominations have similar Lenten practices or customs?

Some of the Lutheran churches I have attended have ashes put on their foreheads during the Ash Wednesday service and I’ve never been asked or taught to give up something for Lent. I have had interactions with non-Catholics who do give up something for Lent. My sister attends a non-denominational church and, I’m not sure if it’s the whole church or just something she does, but she does give up something for Lent. I have never done it myself - I’m not one to do something because someone else does it. I want to know the why’s first so that I do it with the right spiritual conviction.