OnlySunshine Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 I was on a directed retreat during Lent once and there was a woman there who was fasting on bread throughout Lent. (I think she was from one of the Eastern rite Churches). All I could say was ... wow. She was already into week 3. There is another person that I have read about that has done 40 days of fasting. Needless to say that won't be me! Can't do it. Can barely do the fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (due to health conditions). And I would say that any significant fast (i.e. bread for Lent or a full fast for more than a day) needs to be discussed with a spiritual director. My sister, who is non-denominational (baptized Catholic like me and raised in the Church), does a strict 40 day fast of bread and water. I don't think that's healthy at all. I can't do it. I have medicine that I must take and I get moody and fatigued if I don't eat right. Plus, I can't eat regular bread (gluten intolerant)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaTherese Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Okay, I think I have something. I'll write it here though, just to remind myself and think more about the stuff I don't have solid yet. 1) No snacks or desserts, except maybe a little bit on Sundays 2) Limited internet, I'm not sure how, probably just limited to one time after I'm done with work on most weekdays and not at all on Fridays, not mitigated on Sundays 3) Reading the Catechism every day, possibly more than once, possibly extra on Fridays and Sundays That's all I have so far. I don't think I'm adding any more. And I'm really looking forward to Lent, mostly because Easter comes at the end and then I'll be properly received into the Church. (Less than two months to wait!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 (edited) Ok for Lent -definitely keeping my room clean, like completely clean. -More prayer (this one I'm still nailing down the specifics on) -NOT COMPLAINING -Finish Divine Mercy that is all I can think of for now. This gives me a few wonderful ideas. Keeping my room clean will help with the virtue of discipline (Something I'm not always the best at), and plus, I can throw away junk I'm keeping due to emotional attachments in order to show who my allegiance goes to. I can think of several things that really need to go, and I can finally do it. Some of the stuff is good so I can give it to the thrift store in my town, which is an extra bonus since thrift stores are practically charity! No soda or chocolate. I would like to do something spiritual as well, maybe (at least) a decade of the rosary every night. Saint Padre Pio is not impressed. If you don't get the joke, he said thirty five Rosaries a day. But considering I do one a day, he's not too impressed with me, either. :hehe: Edited February 4, 2013 by FuturePriest387 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 (edited) Ok for Lent -definitely keeping my room clean, like completely clean. -More prayer (this one I'm still nailing down the specifics on) -NOT COMPLAINING -Finish Divine Mercy that is all I can think of for now.  This gives me a few wonderful ideas. Keeping my room clean will help with the virtue of discipline (Something I'm not always the best at), and plus, I can throw away junk I'm keeping due to emotional attachments in order to show who my allegiance goes to. I can think of several things that really need to go, and I can finally do it. Some of the stuff is good so I can give it to the thrift store in my town, which is an extra bonus since thrift stores are practically charity! This is indeed a great idea. If you want to check in on the FLYLady Lent thread I'll be putting up in a few days, it will actually include those kinds of things.... and more...... FLYLady's challenge is indeed.... interesting. Hope you might give it a look see... starts slow like a snowball running downhill... but gets really interesting shortly thereafter... :hehe2: :robot: Edited February 4, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Currently revising my Lent plans. God is pointing out some other things that are more important for me right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 (edited) Currently revising my Lent plans. God is pointing out some other things that are more important for me right now. Missy.... I completely agree. Absolutely 'do what He tells you.' Wise words from a VERY wise Lady.... (and not me, and not FLYLady...) Edited February 4, 2013 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 LinaSt.Cecilia2772 and Lil Red ... if you do choose to pray each day for a different person PLEASE INCLUDE ME ON IT. There's another (unspoken) person (you-know-who-you-are lol) who is doing the same and I'm begging said person to put me on their list. If you do put me on the list -- let me know the day, and I promise to pray for you on that day. Won't go into details (take a look at my last few prayer requests) but suffice to say that my world is turning upside down. Again. And I'm doing a good job at flipping out due to it (although I am keeping it inside for now, somewhat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercy me Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 For me, I don't so much give something up as much as I try to add something. One year I did I think 3 acts of charity per day. It was not easy for me. One year, I said the Divine Mercy chaplet every day. I still frequently do it. The commitment of Lent forced me to do it and it became a habit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 I think I have narrowed down what I'm going to do: Eat more fruits and vegetables (I don't eat nearly enough and my diet is suffering) Keep my room cleaned and organized Pray a Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet once a day The fruits and vegetables thing is going to be difficult because I don't make an effort to eat enough -- especially vegetables. I have an aversion to slimy, squish vegetables like cooked summer squash and white mushrooms. I'm planning to buy a lot of vegetables and fruit for the week and incorporate it in slowly. I found this awesome Lenten-friendly recipe for Fresh Arugula, Artichoke and Tomato Rotini on the Jazzy Vegetarian show on PBS. It looked so yummy! Plus, arugula and artichoke hearts are favorites of mine. I'm going to try to find some multi-colored tomatoes since I like those better than regular red tomatoes. I'll just have to substitute the pasta for gluten-free pasta. :) Fresh Arugula, Artichoke and Tomato Rotini MAKES 4 SERVINGS 1 pound whole-grain rotini or fusilli 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped 10 to 15 leaves fresh basil, very thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning or other herb blend 1â„2 teaspoon sea salt Several grinds freshly ground pepper 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch arugula (about 4 ounces), cleaned and stemmed 1 jar (6 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, drained Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the rotini. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but firm. Meanwhile, put the tomatoes, basil, garlic, all-purpose seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl large enough to also accommodate the cooked penne. Stir gently until well combined. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir gently until the tomatoes are evenly coated. Coarsely chop the arugula and put it on top of the tomato mixture. Chop the artichoke hearts and put them in a small bowl. Drain the rotini well and, while it is still piping hot, pour it over the tomato mixture. Drizzle with a bit more oil, if desired and toss gently until thoroughly combined. Gently stir in the artichoke hearts. Serve immediately. NOTE: The tomato mixture and artichokes may be prepared up to 4 hours in advance. Just store them separately in covered bowls in the refrigerator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContemporaryCaflicCrusader Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 1.) No iPod except during workouts and car rides. (This will break me) 2.) Read something spiritual for 15 minutes a day. 3.) Bring my prayer life back to where it was in it's hey day (Before I got the new job at Church in August ironically lol.) 4.) Give up a type of dessert I have been told to run all food things by both parents because of my lack of weight (6'1 3/8" 171 lbs.) 5.) And the never ending joke... Ice Fishing. (To me sounds like watching grass grow in the winter without the grass, and bugs, thus tis a joke). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Tentative ideas: - Generally be a more helpful, loving and considerate person, friend and family member. - Drink less coffee (I'm becoming a coffee fiend, so this will be hard). - Try and get my spiritual life back to what it was last year. - Make better use of the Sacraments. - Read Scripture every day or at least a couple of times a week. - Keep my room and desk clean. - Not using the Internet for much other than university work. - Make sure I get outside every day and acknowledge my thanks for all I am given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveletslive Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 oh two really goods ones my friends have done 1. give up makeup (my friend is a gorgeous sorority girl who's always fully done up and gave up makeup during lent) 2. give up looking at yourself in the mirror - my friend didn't look at his reflection to try and be less vain. not in the bathroom in the morning, not if he was passing a mirror in the hall,etc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 If I could not look in the mirror, my tie knots would all look like crap. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwedbyHisGrace Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 - go to daily Mass at least once a week - giving up dessert - making a conscious effort to not complain about things. - 40 days for life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 So, the one thing I've decided on for sure: saying the Angelus at noon everyday. Any ideas on things that would help a person focus more on living in the present, rather than looking way far into the future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now