Lent

Dear users, dear authors,
are there any Catholics here—or people who consciously give something up during Lent?
Let me know.

I’m not Catholic (anymore), so I don’t fast :)

A few years ago, I used Lent as an opportunity to give up sweets, alcohol, … or other things, but I don’t do that anymore.
Instead, a while back I decided to be more mindful about my diet and live a healthier lifestyle. It’s working out pretty well :)

Hi,

I’m not Catholic anymore either.

I don’t give anything up during Lent. For me, it’s just a time like any
other.

Best regards, Heike

I don’t fast either—I enjoy life way too much.

Best regards, Petra

Whether you’re Catholic or not, I think it’s a good idea to consciously give up some kind of pleasure every now and then, at certain times. We live in such abundance these days that a little self-restraint and mindfulness do us a world of good and sharpen our senses. That’s why I’ve given up sweets during Lent in the past. It made that chocolate egg at Easter taste twice as good.
This year, however, I won’t be doing that, since I have a long and taxing course of treatment ahead of me for health reasons. (Oh, Josefa, I think your crystal ball had a cloudy spot!) I’ll probably need something sweet every now and then to soothe my nerves ;-)
Ruth

I’m Catholic and I’m passionate about volunteering in our parish, so I wouldn’t describe myself as a “nominal Catholic.”

And I think it’s absolutely terrible that Lent is always equated with giving things up.
I won’t be giving up any foods or anything else in the coming weeks.

By the way, I’m also one of those Catholic women who is constantly dealing with slightly dusty “people of little faith.” It’s such a shame when people do things without thinking them through.

That’s not to say I want to badmouth anyone’s fasting. But I think very few people fast for religious reasons, and I don’t think there is any reason, from a Catholic perspective, for fasting in the sense of giving things up.

@RuthK
My crystal ball isn’t broken. The crystal ball says you’ll handle this brilliantly.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and wish you all the best.

Dear ruthk

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and wish you all the very best!

No, I don’t fast either—at most, I’m eating even less meat than usual. Since I’ll be on my own for the next few weeks, it’s not hard to do.

Ruth: I wish you all the best. You’ll definitely get through it, and every now and then, a little something sweet as a pick-me-up is a must.

I don’t fast either. I clearly lack the self-discipline for that. 

Well, I’m Catholic, but I don’t go to church, and in my opinion, Lent is often interpreted the wrong way. I think this time should really be a “time for reflection.” I don’t give up chocolate or anything like that (I really can’t afford to), but I do give up gossip, backbiting, and things like that—I choose not to listen when I’m waiting for the kindergarten bus with the neighboring ladies—and I practice this “fasting” all year round. So for me, it’s not really Lent^^

Best wishes, Sabine