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Friday Penance Stuff


MissyP89

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[quote name='Slappo' timestamp='1340497506' post='2448082']


i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...
[/quote]
So you're the arbiter of what prayer is appropriate?

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Deus te Amat

[quote name='Slappo' timestamp='1340497506' post='2448082']


i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...
[/quote]

Funny how, to most priests, those 60 seconds of prayer are a suitable penance for a soiled soul.

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I go through a horrible time at Lent ... I have blood sugar issues, so not eating meat exasperates that. I also have a fish allergy.

I make a valiant attempt at keeping the abstinence and fast(on fast days) during Lent, but this Lent when I was on retreat the retreat director actually said "do what you can" (on Good Friday) because you're going through enough penance as it is (I was -- it was gut wrenching stuff that I was dealing with).

Outside of Lent -- I really don't worry about it. Besides, being next to a person who is eating fish (tuna especially, which I still would love to eat) is penance enough.

Edited by cmariadiaz
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Strictlyinkblot

My mother used to get very upset that she couldn't fast on bread and water but she's an insulin dependent diabetic so that would just be a ticket to the hospital. As the others have said do what you can. Could you fit in an hour (or 30, 20, even 10 minutes) adoration? Offer up your frustrations to God and ask Him if he has any suggestions for a penance. I'm sure He'll find a way to enlighten you.

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To Jesus Through Mary

Skip a meal,
no snacking (although temperance isn't really penance.)
Stations of the Cross
No salt or seasoning in your food
No internet
Reduce your sleep
Sleep on the floor
No A/C for a few hours
And like the others are saying, it is always great to go out of your way to be kind to someone who drives you crazy.

Most of us pretty much know which passions need to be mortified. So you can always find a way to work on that. When in doubt speak with your confessor or spiritual director if you have one.

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[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1340499068' post='2448088']
So you're the arbiter of what prayer is appropriate?
[/quote]

[quote][font=georgia,serif][color=#282828][b][size=6]I[/size][/b] really would not [size=6][b]feel [/b][/size]like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence... [/color][/font] [/quote]

Fixed for emphasis...

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inunionwithrome

It is not always possible for us to give up meat either. For example, when we are taking a really long car trip and our health would be affected. The TV, internet, maybe just not having dessert would be beneficial as well. I'm sorry about the fish allergy! I also, have food allergies. So, maybe use all of the suggestions above. Whatever it may be, God will understand your sacrifice! :)

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tinytherese

[quote name='Slappo' timestamp='1340497506' post='2448082']
i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...
[/quote]

I take a heck of a lot longer than that since I've struggled so much in prayer for years.

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For the sake of clarity here are the relevant canons on penance.

CHAPTER II : DAYS OF PENANCE

Can. 1249 All Christ's faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

[b]Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety. [/b]

The last is my emphasis, all you need to do is consult the Bishops Conference of the country you live in. In the US its the USCCB. The information is there. The Code of Canon Law assumes we can be mature and grown up. :hehe2:

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Groo the Wanderer

[quote name='cappie' timestamp='1340600189' post='2448576']
The Code of Canon Law arseumes we can be mature and grown up. :hehe2:
[/quote]

They don't know us too well, do they?

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There are sooo many mortifications you can do in place of not eating meat. I know for me, not eating meat isn't really a substantial mortification, anyway (though I have to admit, I'm really glad you brought this topic up, because I'm not conscious of the fact it's Friday a lot of the time and that I AM obligated to do something mortifying). For me at least, praying more or being nice to someone I don't like, or doing my husband's ironing or something would be a harder sacrifice for me than not eating meat, because I'm generally just as happy with fish or beans.

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[quote name='cappie' timestamp='1340600189' post='2448576']
Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, [b]unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday[/b]. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
ere. The Code of Canon Law arseumes we can be mature and grown up. :hehe2:
[/quote]

I am very grateful for this rule since it means today (Ss. Peter & Paul) I can eat bacon. :D

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[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]No abstaining or penance today y'all. It is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.[/color][/font]

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