Rita Reviews

living my best possible southern life

Getting Ready for Lent

|

Lent begins on Wednesday this week and we are getting ready for it. Tomorrow is known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras as many of you most likely know it as. In the Roman Catholic Church (which is what I am) Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and then ends on Holy Thursday. It marks the beginning of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the dessert and was tempted by Satan.

During Lent we fast or give up luxuries as a form of penitence. Our church removes the flowers from the alter and then covers the  crucifix and statues in a violet veil to observe the season. If you are not Catholic you may notice that your church has brought out the purple sway that drapes the cross during Lent and Easter. Another thing that you will find missing from my church beginning on Wednesday is the Gloria in Excelsis Deo and the Alleluia which are not sung during Lent.

So what will I be giving up in observance of Lent? I will be fasting and only eating 1 full meal each day. Sundays are excluded from this and there will be no meat in our home on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, or any other Friday of Lent. Sounds serious doesn’t it? The kids are allowed to eat as they are not yet old enough to fast. The requirements are explained better at American Catholic.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. My family didn’t observe, but I would give up chocolate. That would be a true sacrifice, for me.

  2. I always find it difficult to give something up for lent, I just try and give more and be more patient during this time.

  3. We have been talking about what each of us is planning on giving up for lent. I am not sure what it will be yet. I remember growing up thinking that everyone couldn’t eat meat on Friday’s. 🙂 My mom always made tuna casserole or macaroni and cheese every Friday. You are a better woman then me, I couldn’t only have one meal a day. Take care of yourself.

    • I remember that growing up as well. One big meal a day isn’t that bad. I can have a small snack throughout the day. Here i am the only one doing it, the kids are not yet old enough and my my is over 59 which is the church’s cut off age.