Who practices lent?

[GeorgeG]

No. I was raised protestant and my two best friends were catholic and jewish and we all respected each other's beliefs and practices. I've long since become what my daughter, who is quite religious, affectionately calls a "devout heathen." I'm not a bad person and always try to do what's right, which should be what really counts.

My wife was raised catholic, but they kicked her out for marrying me (twice divorced, non-catholic, etc.) and while she does not practice the religion, she still adheres to some of the traditions.

As for me, it's burgers and steaks whenever I feel like it. But, that's just me.

 

[Blueberry]

We will observe lent, though we do not go to the Catholic Church any longer. We will not eat meat on either Ash Wednesday or Good Friday. We believe in doing rather than giving up..so we will be trying to do a special project this lent...Our mission we decided to do is help some elderly around the house and to fix a few things up in their house..

 

[pumba]

days in lent......but I do not give up something...instead I try to be a better person....to help others.....and also if I am a naughty person......I make a pair of lental slippers......and then give the " twenty or so pairs to charity......last year I was wicked good...didnt' make any.....I will try this year too.cause I am making an afghan for my baby not yet born grandson......hope you all have a good and meaningful lent

 

[Diane]

My family followed the giving up meat pretty strictly when I was growing up. When I was in my late teens/early 20s, I stopped for many years - mostly because I hate fish, I guess. I've been trying to do it again for the past several years, but am happy if I get through Ash Wed. & Good Fri.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Last year the kids and I took on saying the Compline service from our prayer book together each night. It was a lovely tradition and my daughter still asks me to say it with her on occassion. It is a very calming and restful sevice. Great for before you go to bed.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We observe Lent. If Our Lord can suffer and give up his life for our family, we can give something up for 40 days. I thought DS could give up TV, and he thought I could give up the DIS! I think we'll both have to compromise on something else.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by Mary Jo
[B* Abstain from meat on Fridays[/B]

I don't mean to quote only Mary Jo here but, I thought this 'practice' was no longer 'required'?? I understand if you're all doing it willingly though.

I'm Lutheran, non-practicing. I will be in Church Wednesday though. DD's class is opening the Ash Wednesday Chapel service with song. (Awww) And, I bought 2 boxes of fish sticks but, not necessarily for Fridays.

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, as Orthodox Christians, we observe Lent. Orthodox Easter is a week later than western Easter - so our Lent officially begins next Monday. We try our best to observe the fast - which is no meat or dairy throughout Lent - not just on Fridays. I get grumpy about changing my eating habits, but that just shows how much emphasis I place on eating. I hope to spend more time praying and thinking of others this Lent - as well as spending less time on the internet!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by mamajoan
sorry to admit that my active church going has taken a dismal toll this past year. However my faith remains intact.

Lent is a special season for me, I like to use it to teach my children about giving up something so that someone else may benefit. As Christ did so for mankind.
This year I am planning to use Friday night pizza money to donate to the women's shelter here in town. We have chosen this as a family project. Instead of Pizza we will be having "soup night". I am hoping that this will be a good thing for my teens to be a part of..



Wow thats awesome idea.. and think of what you can accomplish doing this!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Kermit
I usually try to do something for Lent, even though I've never attended a church that observes it. I usually try to do something good or give up something so that I have more time to do good things. 40 days is long enough to make something a habit, and I think all of us could use an occasional period of refocusing. I gave up the DIS one year. I had a much easier time getting the time I needed to spend my daily time with God.

I haven't decided for sure what to do this year, but I'm thinking about devoting time to praying for my husband each day. I have the book <i>Power of a Praying Wife</i>, and it shows how to think about each aspect of your husband's life and pray that God will be able to do great things in each of those aspects. I have a hard time remembering to pray for him sometimes for things that just involve him. It's easy to remember to pray for him in areas that affect us both, but this will help me to concentrate more on him and his role as breadwinner, father, and husband.

Wow, great ideas as well, Kermit.

That books sounds incredible.. I have some thing similiar here at the house, but Its a different title.