New To Lent

[Chris†opher Paul]

Hey-

My confirmation is coming up soon, and as the RCIA classes are coming to a close, I would like to participate in Lent as a "full-blown" Catholic, in order to prepare for my entrance into the Church.

I am new to Lent and to fasting, penance, etc.

How does one go about fasting for these 40 days? I don't think I can do full fasting, but perhaps something like the Muslims do at Ramadan where they eat after sundown?

Any advice?

 

[chelcb]

There are some books on it I am sure that could help you. Remember it is the interior that the focus is on, not the will power. The fasting is supposed help strengthen your will to be able to better hand it over to God.

You can fast from a lot of other things besides food. Only you can know what would be a greater sacrifice in your life. You can do with out some wants, like entertainment pleasures CD, DVD etc. and give whatever money that would have been spent on them to the poor.

You can donate time to the poor. There are lots of fasts that I do not involved food that you can fast from bt food fasting should never compromise your health. You can a regular meal for breakfast and considerable smaller meals for lunch and dinner. You can eat on Fridays or Wednesdays the appointed days of fast, juices water and beard...you can fast from meat all lent etc... on Fridays during lent meat should be avoided.

Here's a link of mortification. It should help come up with something.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/vpenence.htm#Recommended

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

Well, I would like to do an "official" or rather, traditional Catholic fast, since I am about to enter the Church and am going through the three scrutinies.

(I realize that this is about relationship building, not will-power or sacrifice in the end.)

Also, I like to eat, so that would be the biggest sacrifice for me, I think. Doh!

I was just wondering how to go about that without dying or something.

 

[chelcb]

Read the link you will find all kind of ways to fast from food.

 

[nyj]

Fasting on Fridays (and Ash Wednesday) is rather simple. With that said however, it is often forgotten or overlooked. In my opinion, the fast is as much a sacrifice as it is a reminder of just how lucky we are. On a day of fasting, we are called to have two small meals (smaller portions than usual) and then one regular sized meal (like you'd usually have). In between these meals you should refrain from snacks or goodies (no candy, soda, etc). You should try to drink water only in between meals. As far as the meals go, use your judgement. On days of fasting they should not contain meat (this covers pork and poultry) but you may have fish. These days are not about extravagance so having a two small meals and then splurging on a huge tuna steak at night is sort of self-defeating. Be frugal. It's but one day of the week.

Perhaps an example might help illustrate a typical day of fasting:

Breakfast - An english muffin.
Lunch - tuna fish sandwich.
Dinner - fish sticks and french fries.

If you get overly hungry in between those meals, drink plenty of water, it'll help keep you full.

Not a whole lot of fanfare right? Plus, if you keep track of how much money you saved by eating light on friday, when you go to the Stations of the Cross for that week, drop that money into the alms box and then go and pray for those people.

Remember, it is as much about contemplation and thanksgiving (trust me, after you've fasted you'll be thankful of what you regularly take for granted) as it is about sacrifice.

 

[Loki]

Typically Catholics "Give up" something for lent, as a form of asceticism, and then there's the fasting on Ash Wednesday, Fridays, etc. nyj summed that up nicely.

That is what I've always heard of as the traditional fast; small meals and a modesst supper, no snacking.

As for giving up something; I was chastized in 2nd grade for saying I'd give up reading (something I really enjoy), and told to do something, so since then I've tried to become more active in something rather deprive myself of something (or both). This year I'll try to do an exercise regiment and eat healthier.

Best of luck and do enjoy the time period!

 

[ZooMom]

Hi, CP. The approach of Confirmation is so thrilling, isn't it? I am so happy for you.


I observe a semi-strict fast on every Friday of Lent. I eat only one small meal of grilled or baked fish with a few veggies. Water only. My hubby, OTOH, usually abstains (as opposed to fasting) from meat all Lent. Fish only, but he eats regular meals and portions. I've tried to fast for consecutive days, but I end up liking it too much because of the weight I lose, and after a day or two I don't feel hungry anymore anyway. *shrug* So, once a week is more of a discipline for me. I hope that you can find a way to use this Lent to grow ever closer to God. May He bless you in your efforts.

Peace.

 

[sklippstein]

Congrats CP on ur upcoming confirmation!!!!

What we do is fast 1 complete meal and eat 2 small meals on Fridays. Of course no meat on Friday.....but yucky to the fish sticks that was mentioned above.

OH......and i found out last year that chicken is included with the meat......both are a no no. Let us know how u are doing!

 

[nyj]

Hey! What's wrong with fish sticks? Especially if you have lots of tartar sauce to go along with it. Yummy.

 

[Loki]

*drools like Homer Simpson* Fish sticks with tartar sauce...

 

[ZooMom]

Tartar sauce?! Ick! That's just crunchy mayonnaise. And while fish sticks may satisfy the palates of some, they cannot compare to a nice broiled trout or a grilled salmon steak. Sans tartar sauce.

 

[nyj]

Today at 05:57 PM ZooMom said this in Post #11 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688151#post688151)

Tartar sauce?! Ick! That's just crunchy mayonnaise. And while fish sticks may satisfy the palates of some, they cannot compare to a nice broiled trout or a grilled salmon steak. Sans tartar sauce.

Sheesh. What's wrong with you people?!?! See if I invite you (or Sklipp for that matter) over for dinner on a Lenten Friday. You guys don't know what you're missing!

 

[ZooMom]

My kids like fish sticks. And I admit they are marginally nutritious. I think they are made from genuine imitation processed alaskan whitefish. The fish sticks that is, not the kids. But picture a thick juicy salmon steak grilled and basted with herbs and butter, served with tender baby carrots and wild rice. C'mon...is there really any contest here?

 

[sklippstein]

Today at 06:32 PM Loki said this in Post #10

*drools like Homer Simpson* Fish sticks with tartar sauce...

nyj and Loki.....y'all can keep ur fish sticks   

I'm going over to ZooMom's for salmon steaks!  



 

 

[nyj]

Today at 06:59 PM ZooMom said this in Post #13 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688309#post688309)
But picture a thick juicy salmon steak grilled and basted with herbs and butter, served with tender baby carrots and wild rice. C'mon...is there really any contest here?

Are you serving this for Lenten Fridays or Mardi Gras?

 

[ZooMom]

For Fridays. Because that is the only thing I get all day. Might as well taste good. 'Course I have been pressed for time before and had to settle for a fish sandwich and fries from Mickey D's. But I got the sandwich plain...no tartar sauce.

 

[nyj]

Today at 07:26 PM ZooMom said this in Post #16 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688363#post688363)

For Fridays. Because that is the only thing I get all day.

Ah, excuses excuses.

Might as well taste good.

But... but... but... fish sticks are yummy! I remember growing up, there was a fish market on Liberty Avenue, Queens where my mom used to go all the time for fish. On fridays she would take me and my sister and buy us some fried fish. Oh boy, that with a little vinegar. Whooeee! Some good stuff. The closest I've ever come to duplicating those feasts is Long John Silvers, which tells you that I haven't really come close.

'Course I have been pressed for time before and had to settle for a fish sandwich and fries from Mickey D's. But I got the sandwich plain...no tartar sauce.

You know, you're really starting to upset me here. What's wrong with tartar sauce fercryinoutloud!

J/K. I'm not upset about the tartar sauce dis, but I swear, if you dis cocktail sauce, I'm gonna blow a gasket!

 

[Loki]

I must admit I prefer deep fried cod over fish sticks, but fish sticks work, too

Something of an edible Achilles Heel for me, I suppose. I really do enjoy my fish & chips, to the point that I limit myself to it to about 3 or 4 times a year.

You do go for the fries, right nyj?

 

[edward]

Hi all,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Sundays are a day off from our lenten fasting. If you count the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, and omit Sundays, you get 40 days. Since Sunday is a day of rest and joy, we can "rest" of our fast. Am I right on this?

Yours in Christ,
Edward

 

[ZooMom]

Today at 08:31 PM nyj said this in Post #17 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688369#post688369)

Ah, excuses excuses.

But... but... but... fish sticks are yummy! I remember growing up, there was a fish market on Liberty Avenue, Queens where my mom used to go all the time for fish. On fridays she would take me and my sister and buy us some fried fish. Oh boy, that with a little vinegar. Whooeee! Some good stuff. The closest I've ever come to duplicating those feasts is Long John Silvers, which tells you that I haven't really come close.

Whoa! Hold the phone! There is absolutely no comparison between batter-dipped deep-fried filet of cod with malt vinegar... and a 'fish stick'. Are we having a cultural misunderstanding here? A fish stick to me means Mrs. Paul's in the freezer section of my grocery store. They are about finger long and finger wide. Fresh fried fish is a whole other Oprah, and you and I could probably bond over that. The Shanakee (an Irish pub where I live) has the best fish and chips I have ever eaten. I live, and grew up on the coast, where fresh fish comes in daily by the boatload. There are no Long John Silver's here because no-one would eat there. That's just grocery store freezer fish that someone else cooks for you.

You know, you're really starting to upset me here. What's wrong with tartar sauce fercryinoutloud!

J/K. I'm not upset about the tartar sauce dis, but I swear, if you dis cocktail sauce, I'm gonna blow a gasket!

Tartar sauce is mayo with chunks of pickle in it. Yum. *not* Cocktail sauce is ketchup with horseradish. I personally don't use many sauces like that. I mean, to me it completely covers up the taste of whatever food you put it on, so why bother? You could eat cardboard with tartar/cocktail sauce and it would taste the same as anything else with tartar/cocktail sauce. That's like putting 'steak sauce' on a perfectly good steak! Oh, the heresy!