Some of my family is Catholic and they were always raised that when you give something up for Lent, you give it up for the full 40 days. However, she has been engaged to another Catholic man, who was raised that on Sundays G-d gives you a break--i.e. if you gave up sweets for Lent, you can have them on Sunday.
Which way were you raised? Which one is right? Did his family just make up a loophole or is it real?
2007-02-25 15:30:40 · 12 answers · asked by LadySuri 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not raised Catholic (converted to it at age 32), but I'm from the "Sundays off" school. If you count the days, Ash Wednesday - Holy Saturday, you will see that to come up with 40 days you have to exclude the Sundays.
"In Roman Catholicism, we exclude Sundays during the Lent season. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on a Sunday. So, fasting and mourning would be not right to do on Sunday. We should celebrate Jesus's resurrection for our salvation."
2007-02-25 15:40:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are 40 days in Lent.
However if you count the number of days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) you find there are 46 days.
The extra days are 6 Sundays. These Sundays are not really part of Lent. So if you give up chocolate for Lent you can eat it on Sundays.
If you give up something more important like sarcasm or endeavor to do some good work then I suggest you keep up the effort on Lenten Sundays.
With love in Christ.
2007-02-26 00:56:14 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not a made-up loophole. Ash Wednesday actually occurs 46 days before Easter but Lent is considered to be 40 days long because Sundays aren't counted. Traditionally, it was considered to be inappropriate to fast on Sundays because it is the day that Jesus was resurrected.
When I observe Lent, I don't indulge in whatever I've given up on Sundays. I give it up until Easter.
2007-02-25 23:38:59 · answer #3 · answered by rosellyne.thompson 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was raised that it was the full 40 days. I've heard of other people doing this also, but I was raised to do it everyday of Lent. Jesus gave His life for us so the least I could do is give up 40 days of things i love to do or love to eat. That's how I've seen it all my life. To me it is a loophole and isn't fair but hey thats me.
2007-02-25 23:35:27 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard of any Sunday break. The answer I would have gotten to that idea would have been "Jesus never got a Sunday break." I have heard of some people who practice that way, though. I'm kinda out of the loop, not being Catholic anymore. Sounds like an attempt to make religion easier and more appealing to me.
2007-02-25 23:35:35 · answer #5 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am catholic and I was always taught that kids got to go off of lent on sundays but adults couldn't.
2007-02-25 23:35:00 · answer #6 · answered by jade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 40 days in lent.
If you have a good vacuum cleaner, you can really do a job on the lent. Since the Catholic Church spreads so much trash, there is bound to be an abundance of lent.
With love in Christ
2007-02-26 09:28:24 · answer #7 · answered by imacatlick2 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Growing up, we were allowed to cheat on Sundays. Looking back, it probably made it easier for us as kids. That's not to say it's wrong. What matters is the spiritual experience of sacrifice, the true meaning of the Lenten season.
2007-02-25 23:39:33 · answer #8 · answered by frippy green 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
His family made a loophole, it is the whole 40 days.
2007-02-25 23:33:43 · answer #9 · answered by Pantherempress 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are allowed to eat what you are sacrificing on Sundays, being Sunday is considered a feast day
2007-02-25 23:33:42 · answer #10 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋