I know we had a recent thread on Lent, but I wanted to ask a different question about it. The previous thread asked what the basis of Lent was.

 

I have a question, primarily for Catholics but others can respond if they wish...what is a typical lent season like for you? What do you do? What is the "itinerary", if that's the right way to word it? Do you have a schedule of things you do...like services at certain times or days, etc.?

 

I'm not looking to debate beliefs or anything like that...I just want to know what all Catholics do during the Lent.

I know we had a recent thread on Lent, but I wanted to ask a different question about it. The previous thread asked what the basis of Lent was.

 

I have a question, primarily for Catholics but others can respond if they wish...what is a typical lent season like for you? What do you do? What is the "itinerary", if that's the right way to word it? Do you have a schedule of things you do...like services at certain times or days, etc.?

 

I'm not looking to debate beliefs or anything like that...I just want to know what all Catholics do during the Lent.

 

 

Well, the party begins on Ash Wednesday. We go to mass, receive ashes on our forehead. Some times that entails working with the ashes on the forehead, or sometimes we have to wait until after work to go to Mass. It's a day of fasting, which is definitely a day without meat, but for some of us more "traditional", a day of real fast, or of not eating 3 meals. Fridays, from that point forward, are definitely days of not eating meat.

 

We either give up something that will be a sacrifice (my son always used to give up sodas), or try to do something that we don't normally do (like volunteer regularly at a homeless shelter, for example). Regardless of what we choose to do, we make a committment to some sort of "sacrifice". Many times, the "sacrifice" carries over to become a life change.

 

Does that help?

Well, the party begins on Ash Wednesday. We go to mass, receive ashes on our forehead. Some times that entails working with the ashes on the forehead, or sometimes we have to wait until after work to go to Mass. It's a day of fasting, which is definitely a day without meat, but for some of us more "traditional", a day of real fast, or of not eating 3 meals. Fridays, from that point forward, are definitely days of not eating meat.

 

We either give up something that will be a sacrifice (my son always used to give up sodas), or try to do something that we don't normally do (like volunteer regularly at a homeless shelter, for example). Regardless of what we choose to do, we make a committment to some sort of "sacrifice". Many times, the "sacrifice" carries over to become a life change.

 

Does that help?

 

This is exactly how my family operates during lent as well.

Well, the party begins on Ash Wednesday. We go to mass, receive ashes on our forehead. Some times that entails working with the ashes on the forehead, or sometimes we have to wait until after work to go to Mass. It's a day of fasting, which is definitely a day without meat, but for some of us more "traditional", a day of real fast, or of not eating 3 meals. Fridays, from that point forward, are definitely days of not eating meat.

 

We either give up something that will be a sacrifice (my son always used to give up sodas), or try to do something that we don't normally do (like volunteer regularly at a homeless shelter, for example). Regardless of what we choose to do, we make a committment to some sort of "sacrifice". Many times, the "sacrifice" carries over to become a life change.

 

Does that help?

 

Yes. That's the type of stuff I was looking for. Are there any changes in church services? Changes may not be the right word...are there any church services or worship practices that are unique to Lent? Or, do things pretty much remain the same as far as that goes?

 

So, Ash Wednesday and then every Friday of Lent is a day of fasting and the bare minimum requirements of the fast is not eating meat. For more traditional fasters, do you not eat anything at all? What about drinks? Do you fast from liquids as well, drink only water, or something else?

Why the difference in meat and fish on the Fridays?

Well, the party begins ?

 

Well, how dare you guys have a party and not invite any of us Protestants.:lol::lol::lol::sssh:

Well, how dare you guys have a party and not invite any of us Protestants.:lol::lol::lol::sssh:

 

I am baptist, as long as another baptist does not see me there count me in:lol:

On Fridays, during Lent, I go to Stations of the Cross services. Which is basically following Jesus's path to Calgary with prayer and song. To anyone who hasn't been, I would say that you might find it to your liking. I would suggest attending one near you; or you are always welcome at St. Patrick's in Maysville at 7:00 p.m. The K of C's have a fish fry right down the street.:thumb:

 

Other special services would be Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Also, the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night is when new church members (catachumens) join the church and are baptized(when needed), confirmed and take their first Holy Communion.

Yes. That's the type of stuff I was looking for. Are there any changes in church services? Changes may not be the right word...are there any church services or worship practices that are unique to Lent? Or, do things pretty much remain the same as far as that goes?

 

As well as what Shamrock Fan elaborated, on the matter of Good Friday. They have a "mass" but there is no consecration of the Holy Eucharist on this day. It may only be distributed if it what consecrated the night before, and from my experience, they normally don't distribute it, just leave it in the tabernacle, only if someone who is dying would need it.

 

5wide you should come with us to some masses, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

So, Ash Wednesday and then every Friday of Lent is a day of fasting and the bare minimum requirements of the fast is not eating meat. For more traditional fasters, do you not eat anything at all? What about drinks? Do you fast from liquids as well, drink only water, or something else?

No, it doesn't go that far. The idea of fasting (for most Catholics) is reserved for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The other Fridays of Lent are meatless. I think that's about it for most people. In the old days, people went without meat every Friday of the year.

Why the difference in meat and fish on the Fridays?

It has nothing to do with fish per se. It's just that we can't eat any kind of meat...and we really like fish.

 

Those of us who can eat fish that is.

I gave up chocolate this year, which is something I eat daily. That way I can think of Jesus' sacrifice every day. Granted it's just a little sacrifice on my part, but I am going without something I normally enjoy. Of course, I fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and go meatless on Fridays. I also try to attend Stations of the Cross. My kids go with their school every week, so they do better than I do.

Also, the Easter Vigil service on Saturday night is when new church members (catachumens) join the church and are baptized(when needed), confirmed and take their first Holy Communion.

But be forewarned: This particular service lasts approx. 371/2 hours.

But be forewarned: This particular service lasts approx. 371/2 hours.

 

Aint that the truth. When I joined the Church in 1994, we were there until almost midnight!

Aint that the truth. When I joined the Church in 1994, we were there until almost midnight!

It's almost like being at a Highlands football banquet!

 

Well okay...it's not that bad.