Francisco_Fernando
Member
Hey everyone! I’m starting lent early! I want to cleanse and mortify my soul. I want to try to clear my doubts and try to get out of this darkness of faith that I have.
Starting Lent Early
- Thread starter Francisco_Fernando
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TheMortenBay
Guest
That sounds great! What a beautiful way to kick off the year for you.
Remember that God loves when we do these good things, but also that there is no obligation to do this outside of Lent, should you change your mind.
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redal
Guest
Sounds good…what’s your plan for cleansing and mortification?
Francisco_Fernando
Member
I don’t know what’s the plan for mortification
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Cor_ad_Cor
Guest
Not trying to dissuade you here, but some advice:
- mortification should only occur under spiritual direction
- part of a pure and humble (healthy) spiritual journey is finding balance between the “feast” and the “fast”. Don’t get too consumed with penance and mortification, as that can be a form of pride, too.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
You can have Lent every day of the year if you want.
The Minims, founded by St. Francis di Paola (the vegan saint who allegedly resurrected slain pets), observe Perpetual Lent every day.
I think I myself will wait and have Lent when it falls in the church calendar.
The Minims, founded by St. Francis di Paola (the vegan saint who allegedly resurrected slain pets), observe Perpetual Lent every day.
I think I myself will wait and have Lent when it falls in the church calendar.
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redal
Guest
Traditionally, we mortify the flesh, not the soul, and as Cor_ad_Cor notes it is to be done carefully and safely.
But, then again, there may be better approaches to “giving up” something…what is sacrificed has to be more meaningful than not eating chocolate, or not drinking coffee, or not spending so much time on the internet…sacrifices come in many forms…of course the three legs of the Church’s Lenten observation is almsgiving, fasting, and prayer…so if we are “giving something up”, maybe its money, food, and time, or some combination…I know several years ago, I figured I would spend $40 a month on coffee, so I decided to donate that $40 to Catholic Relief services, which I have continued to do month after month…and fasting sometimes consists of walking out of that fast food restaurant with a bag of food, and simply giving it to someone who looks hungry instead of eating it myself, and prayer takes sacrificing time…several lents ago, I put the TV remote on top of a bible on the coffee table…and instead of empty minded channel surfing, if I didn’t know exactly what I planned on watchng, I moved the remote aside and spent some time reading and praying scripture.
Lent is about conversion…and conversion is about change, so maybe what you change will carry on beyond Lent, and conversion will be continual, instead of being reserved exclusively for liturgical seasons of penance like lent or advent.
Peace, and Rejoice!
But, then again, there may be better approaches to “giving up” something…what is sacrificed has to be more meaningful than not eating chocolate, or not drinking coffee, or not spending so much time on the internet…sacrifices come in many forms…of course the three legs of the Church’s Lenten observation is almsgiving, fasting, and prayer…so if we are “giving something up”, maybe its money, food, and time, or some combination…I know several years ago, I figured I would spend $40 a month on coffee, so I decided to donate that $40 to Catholic Relief services, which I have continued to do month after month…and fasting sometimes consists of walking out of that fast food restaurant with a bag of food, and simply giving it to someone who looks hungry instead of eating it myself, and prayer takes sacrificing time…several lents ago, I put the TV remote on top of a bible on the coffee table…and instead of empty minded channel surfing, if I didn’t know exactly what I planned on watchng, I moved the remote aside and spent some time reading and praying scripture.
Lent is about conversion…and conversion is about change, so maybe what you change will carry on beyond Lent, and conversion will be continual, instead of being reserved exclusively for liturgical seasons of penance like lent or advent.
Peace, and Rejoice!
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OurLadyofSorrows
Guest
Please talk with your Priest about appropriate actions to take during this time.
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