What is expected of Catholics during Lent?

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I do terrible at giving things up. Tried chocolate one year, but left myself an out; non-chocolate candy was okay. Lots of Payday bars and red licorice. And of course Sundays are feast days, so they don’t count, so chocolate was okay on Sunday…

I find it better to increase devotions.

My former parish used to offer a second daily Mass M-Th at 6 PM through Lent.So I went to that one year. Fridays were Stations of the Cross. That’s another worthwhile activity.

Another year I bought a Catechism. I figured out that it worked out to 15 pages a day on average, and I could read it all during Lent. Some days I read more, some less. A couple times a week I’d go to a neighboring parish that had a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and read it there. Overall, it’s some dry reading, but there are some good sections in there. And every Catholic ought to know what’s in there, even if they can’t quote it verbatim.

One year my wife and I decided we would pray the Rosary together every day. That was HARD! There were days we’d be out at something until late and come home, get in bed and turn out the light, and remember we hadn’t prayed it yet. On with the light, another twenty minutes or so struggling to stay awake.

Ask your pastor for ideas. Our pastor suggested to the whole parish that we get a certain Lenten Reflections book. So we did, and every night after dinner, but before we cleared the table, we’d read today’s reflection and discuss it.

If you do intend to “give up” something for Lent, common things are alcohol, sodas, chocolate, and the internet.

Don’t forget that Fasting and Abstinence are in full force during Lent - Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Abstinence from meat on all Fridays - unless a feast day happens to land on a Friday. Remember: Feast beats Fast!

Lent is about renewal. I don’t think it’s just coincidental that it starts in the cold, dark Winter and ends in Spring… Protestants have their tent revivals periodically; we have Lent. It’s a time to resume the spiritual activities that we have let slide.
 
Fasting totally on ash wednesday and good friday. That would be hard to do. Would this be good for a diabetic?
 
billcu1 said:
Fasting totally on ash wednesday and good friday. That would be hard to do. Would this be good for a diabetic?
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The current definition of “fasting” by the USCCB is pretty generous. One full meal plus two snacks, provided they don’t equal another meal.

But there are exceptions. Diabetics would be one of them. So would nursing mothers. Or if you have to take medication with food at prescribed intervals. **Don’t get all scrupulous about it! **A lot of times I am busy at work, so I end up eating less on a normal day than I would be allowed on a fast day. “So, what?” you might ask… So what is, sometimes just *knowing *you can’t have something is what makes it a sacrifice. You’ll go months, maybe years, without giving McDonalds a glance, but some Friday in Lent you’ll have an incredible craving for a Big Mac.
 
Luna_Lovecraft said:
During a Lenten homily last year our priest said something that resonated with me. He said that Lent shouldn’t be about giving things up (chocolate, television, CAF ;)); rather, he said that it should be about doing more, serving more, finding ways to contribute more.

So, my 2012 Lenten challenge for myself is going to be just that - figuring out how I can go above and beyond and do more for somebody else.

Luna
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The symbolism in giving something up is so you can “make room” for more from God, which makes one holier in their walk. It generally should be something that you feel might detract from focusing on God in any manner. For me, it’s dipping. That’s what I’ll be giving up for Lent. Grizzly Wintergreen Long-Cut. Brown ambrosia in a can. It’s what Lumberjack Jesus would chew, though I bet Copenhagen would love to bid that endorsement contract.

So, for at least the first week I’m going to be put in a situation where my mind and body want something, and I’m going to instead focus on God. After the initial attack of withdraw symptoms, I’ll be focusing on defeating it purely in a mental manner via spiritual means.

Now, for the giving back portion, I’ll put that money for dip in a jar, and at the end, offer that during the Easter service offertory.

Through sacrificing something selfish to focus on God, I’ll then have more expendable money each month with which to provide for charitable causes, throw at debt (mine or others’), etc.

Mis dos centavos.
 
billcu1 said:
Fasting totally on ash wednesday and good friday. That would be hard to do. Would this be good for a diabetic?
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fasting totally if you mean no food at all is not and never has been the requirement. We are called on two days of the year to eat one meal with two smaller meals that don’t add up to a full meal if needed. For diabetics the no-snacking rule can be one of the best ways to regulate blood sugar at all times, so would not be a problem as long as their 3 meals were properly balanced between protein, fat and low carb veggies. Diabetics, the elderly, pregnant and nursing women or anyone with a health condition that mitigates against fasting are not and never were obligated in any case.

a non-issue
and the question is never “what am I obligated to do” nor is it ever “what is the least I can do?” The question is always what will enable me to detach myself from sin and sinful habits, and from anything that is separating me from Christ, and what can I do to more closely identify with him in his passion and suffering so that I can more fully share in his glory at Easter.

the first reading for Ash Wed gives us the real deal, he does not want animal sacrifices he wants a pure heart dedicated to him.
 
Last year was my first Lent. I happened to buy a book, not for Lent, but it was perfect for Lent and I’m going to read it again this year. The School of Jesus Crucified

It has many different readings, but a large portion is comprised of 31 meditations taking you through the Passion. Really awesome and I can’t recommend this book highly enough. In fact, I bought a copy for my mom who’s a pentacostal and my Priest.
 
billcu1 said:
With lent coming upon us quickly I would like to know what is expected out of you. What are you supposesd to do. In the past I’ve just meditated on the stations. I’ve only been catholic for about 2-3 years now and never really got into lent.

Bill
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It is a time of penance and purification. Many people give something up to discipline themselves, although it’s at least as good an idea to do the opposite: add some additional prayer, or penitential work, or charitable work, to your life regularly. Or do as many of these as you can. 🙂

I assume from the fact that you list yourself as “Roman Catholic” that you are in the Latin Church. In that case, there are also some (very few) fasting and abstinence obligations that are binding under pain of sin. You probably already know them, but just in case you don’t:

You must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means no more than one normal meal. You can, however, have a small bite to eat at two other times on those days if necessary. But remember: only one full meal on those days.

You must abstain from meat (although fish and dairy products are allowed) on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday.

Of course, I’m assuming you live in the United States. The rules might be stricter or more lenient if you live elsewhere.

Anyway, that’s the bare minimum. But as others have said, Lent is a great time to go big or go home: increase your prayer life; perform regular penitential acts; seek out opportunities to perform acts of charity; etc. You might even try abstaining and/or fasting on more days than are required, too.

Also, there are some days in Lent which it makes sense to treat as celebrations/solemnities rather than penitential days: the Sundays of Lent, March 19 (the Solemnity of Saint Joseph), and March 25 (the Solemnity of the Annunciation). On years when March 19 or March 25 is a Friday, even the abstinence obligation is lifted entirely.
 
Are eggs considered meat for the sake of abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday?
 
benjoy07 said:
Are eggs considered meat for the sake of abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday?
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They aren’t considered meat, but they should still be abstained from. Shrove tuesday tradition was to use up the eggs and fat in pancakes afterall. Eggs used to be forbidden from Lent altogether, it’s something to the reason why we have chocolate eggs at Easter.
 
Snugglebugmom said:
:confused: I am not familiar with this rule. Is there any documentation to back it up?
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Actually, according to Code of Cannon Law:

“Canon 1250. The law of abstinence prohibits meat and soups made of meat but not of eggs, milks, and other condiments, even if taken from animals.”

So it seems it’s alright, but I would still hold to the old tradition.
 
Along with no meat on Fridays, I am also trying to cut down on soft drinks and tea, and drink more water instead, and no sweets (chocolate, candy, sugar etc.)
 
benjoy07 said:
Are eggs considered meat for the sake of abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday?
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No. The law of abstinence in the Latin Church does not forbid the consumption of fish, eggs, or dairy.
Darran said:
They aren’t considered meat, but they should still be abstained from. Shrove tuesday tradition was to use up the eggs and fat in pancakes afterall. Eggs used to be forbidden from Lent altogether, it’s something to the reason why we have chocolate eggs at Easter.
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That’s just your opinion. I agree that abstaining from eggs is a good idea too, but benjoy seems to have been asking what the Church’s law requires. Best to keep the answer simple, direct, and accurate.
Snugglebugmom said:
:confused: I am not familiar with this rule. Is there any documentation to back it up?
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It’s not a rule, just a good idea. In the Latin Church the law of abstinence permits the consumption of eggs (as with fish and dairy).
Darran said:
Actually, according to Code of Cannon Law:

“Canon 1250. The law of abstinence prohibits meat and soups made of meat but not of eggs, milks, and other condiments, even if taken from animals.”

So it seems it’s alright, but I would still hold to the old tradition.
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Where are you getting that quote from? I think it’s from the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which no longer applies. It seems “soups made from meat” are now allowed (although I personally will choose not to indulge in them):

jimmyakin.org/2004/02/the_law_of_abst.html
jimmyakin.org/2005/02/soups_redux.html

Those links quote the authoritative norms that are currently in force today in the Latin Church.
 
Fone_Bone_2001 said:
That’s just your opinion. I agree that abstaining from eggs is a good idea too, but benjoy seems to have been asking what the Church’s law requires. Best to keep the answer simple, direct, and accurate.
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::blackeye:
Where are you getting that quote from? I think it’s from the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which no longer applies. It seems “soups made from meat” are now allowed (although I personally will choose not to indulge in them)
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I’m not sure, it was the first thing I found on Google.

Soups made from meat? I know what you mean. That’s a bit of a laugh, really. I mean, fair enough if you are sick, but it seems a bit counter intuitive to fill up on the likes of eggs and chicken soup that are so high in protein when you’re meant to be fasting.
 
Darran said:
::blackeye:
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Aw, no, I didn’t mean to be harsh or disagreeable. I’m sorry if my response made you feel like you were under attack. 😦 I just didn’t want benjoy to be confused about the law of abstinence in the Latin Church.
Darran said:
I’m not sure, it was the first thing I found on Google.

Soups made from meat? I know what you mean. That’s a bit of a laugh, really. I mean, fair enough if you are sick, but it seems a bit counter intuitive to fill up on the likes of eggs and chicken soup that are so high in protein when you’re meant to be fasting.
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I completely agree. It makes perfect sense to go above and beyond the bare minimum of what is required in Lent. The abstinence laws of the Latin Church are so lenient as they are that it is very easy to follow the letter of the law while completely defying the spirit of the law.

As a quite humbling point of comparison, take a look at this page which summarizes the fasting and abstinence laws of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Although most lay Orthodox Christians don’t keep them in their entirety (they work it out with their priest how much they’re going to do), the standards are nonetheless quite impressive!
 
Fone_Bone_2001 said:
Aw, no, I didn’t mean to be harsh or disagreeable. I’m sorry if my response made you feel like you were under attack. 😦 I just didn’t want benjoy to be confused about the law of abstinence in the Latin Church.
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Haha no worries, I just picked you up wrong.

I completely agree. It makes perfect sense to go above and beyond the bare minimum of what is required in Lent. The abstinence laws of the Latin Church are so lenient as they are that it is very easy to follow the letter of the law while completely defying the spirit of the law.

As a quite humbling point of comparison, take a look at this page which summarizes the fasting and abstinence laws of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Although most lay Orthodox Christians don’t keep them in their entirety (they work it out with their priest how much they’re going to do), the standards are nonetheless quite impressive!
Wow indeed, that is impressive. You hit the nail on the head, we need to get our act together! Leniency always seems to be a slippery slope unfortunately.
 
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