Ash Wednesday & Lenten traditions?

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Registered: 03-09-2001
Ash Wednesday & Lenten traditions?
3
Fri, 02-23-2007 - 1:41pm

I saw a woman in the grocery store Wednesday who had a smudged cross of ashes on her forehead. Reminded me of my childhood as a Catholic. Every Ash Wednesday, after work, my dad would take my mom & I out to dinner and we'd have our last ice cream sundae or other dessert until Easter. We all gave up sweets for Lent and our extra money save not eating sweets and I'd put some of my allowance in, in special boxes from church as a Lenten offering for charity. After that dinner out, we went to church for the Ash Wednesday service, get blessed with the ashes on our foreheads, etc. My parents fasted during the day, giving up a full meal lunch, during Lent. I didn't because I was a kid. Of course, we ate no meat on Fridays, either. Fish, eggs, pancakes instead. In those days (50's), we fasted from meat EVERY Friday, though. I know now it's just Lent.

Anyone want to share? Anything special that you do? I no longer do any of that. As a Wiccan, I celebrate Oestre/Spring Equinox, though. :)

Gypsy
)O(




Edited 2/23/2007 2:20 pm ET by gypsywolfwoman


Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Fri, 02-23-2007 - 4:58pm

I was raised in the Calvinist Protestant tradition, and we didn't participate in anything remotely "Roman Catholic"!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-23-2007 - 9:42pm

It strengthens character any time one takes on a commitment.

Avatar for mending
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Sat, 02-24-2007 - 12:43am
When we were children, we did the things Catholic families did, fasted & only fish certain days. I think what I learned was discipline. I think the traditions are important to appropriate if one can learn to live life to the fullest. I don't think people value these if they don't have the familia tradicions to live by. I must be in my own little world to know what I need in mine.