How Did You Observe the Lenten Season or Did You?
By acevivx
@acevivx (1566)
Philippines
April 14, 2009 10:43am CST
For all of us who believe in the Resurrection of Christ, I suppose we have observed the Lenten Season each in our own way to show respect for the Season and all it implies. But again, there are some who may have considered the Holy Week as a holiday for holiday fun. Anyway, for my part, I always go home to the old hometown to spend Holy Week and to take part in the church based religious activities which have been observed and done since i can remember from my childhood days and even before i was born. Of course, there is the Last Supper Mass where the priest reenacts the washing of the apostle's feet by Jesus, the adoration, the vigils, the veneration, Stations of the Cross around town, lighting of the Ester Candle, renewal of baptismal vows and culminating in the Easter Sunday Mass. But another tradition my family indulges in is the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and not so young kids in the family and their friends. Some may say this activity is not in any way related to the religious purpose of the Lenten Season but it feels so good and makes us happy to see all those equally happy faces of those who go on the EAster Egg Hunt. How did you spend the Holy Week?
4 responses
@randis1 (112)
• United States
16 Apr 09
This was the first year that I celebrated Lent. I'm a Nazarene by denomination and, hence, didn't grow up celebrating it. I decided to give up coffee for 40 days. I drink a pot a day, at least. Didn't work. I realized I was doing it for the wrong reasons, more out of fitting in with tradition than actually sacrificing something I loved because Christ sacrificed himself for me. This needs to be my attitude going into it if I'm going to recognize it.
I did however celebrate Easter as I do every year. Friday is a day of meditation and prayer for me. I watch the Passion of the Christ every Easter and on Sunday I go to sunrise service, fellowship with others, and then eat a large meal in thankfulness with family and friends.
Randy
www.ratiochristi.org
@jlamela (4898)
• Philippines
16 Apr 09
Yes, I still practice observing Lenten season with reverence because I grew up in a Catholic environment. Last Lent season, I made a sacrifice not to eat meat at Fridays and never went out for fun at the duration of the Holy Week, I did not eat rice at every dinner last Holy Thursday and Good Friday too. I attended procession on Good Friday and the 7 last words. It was very nice having accomplished my duty of being a true Christian.
@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
16 Apr 09
It's good when we are able to do our easter duty. Lent should really be a time for fasting and abstinence, for solemnity and religious activities. When my mother was still alive, we were not allowed to sing or be noisy or speak in loud voices. And even now, we impose the same things on our children.
@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
16 Apr 09
Yes, a belated happy easter too. I guess fasting is one of the things always do during Lent in addition to abstinence. In the past, fasting and abstinence could not be compensated by sacrificing something else. it was mandatory to fast and abstain. But now, I guess the rules are more relaxed.
