Lent! Lent! Lent! (the history thread for smarty-pant wearers)

[Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~]

Can someone tell me why meat is not eaten on Fridays? I understand it is a penance of some sort for the death of Christ on Good Friday, but why meat why not something else?

[[deleted user]]

Speak for yourself, Bun. I MUCH prefer brussels to meat. Going veggie was very easy for me. The only thing I ever really missed was bacon with Saturday breakfast. I LOVE brussels, always have, even when I was a little kid.

[Michele]

for hundreds of years prior to Vatican II (mid 60s), Roman Catholics always abstained from meat every single Friday. During Lent in those days you also abstained from meat on Wednesdays as well. It was a way to chastise the body/flesh and also showed solidarity with Christ's suffering. eating meat on Friday is modern. Children under 14 did not have to fast but they did abstain. we ate a lot of fish, eggs, pancakes. We also fasted : ate only twice/day.

[[deleted user]]

Fasting does not help me focus on spiritual things, it forces me to focus on my belly and it's rumbling...

[Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~]

Thank you, all.

[[deleted user]]

Brussels rock!

[Félix]

You mean the one in Belgium?

[Jim]

There's a Brussels rock in Belgium?

[[deleted user]]

Nope, in my belly!

[Félix]

[Sally, la reina]

So, those of you who gave up things for Lent, are you counting down the days until Sunday?

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

YESchocolatechipsYESchocolatecroissantsYESThinMintGirlScoutCookiesYESChocolatePorterCheeseCakeYESChocolateEasterBunnyYES!!!


Um, yes, why do you ask, Sally?

[[deleted user]]

YES.
I WANT MY CHEESE!!!

[Jim]

I don't seem sure about Jackies answer, Esme's seems a little fuzzy too.

[[deleted user]]

I wish.
It's 40 days.

[Michele]

anybody ever go to the mass of the holy chrism on Holy Thursday? I had to go when I was in high school because the high school I went to was attached to the cathedral and we sang in the choir. 3 hour event because not only did the bishop bless all the holy water, bless the oils and candles but all the priests in the diocese renewed their vows of obedience. quite the ritual.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

No, never did that, Michele. I'm not Catholic, just a little nuts.

I'll tell you, if you ever want to really appreciate something, just give it up for 40 days. :)

[Michele]

that's why lent is good for you. it makes you appreciate the little luxuries of life. just like a 10 day backpack trip teaches you to appreciate a bubble bath.