What are you giving up for Lent?

lburkey21

This is my first Lent - I'm going through the RCIA process - and I'm very excited. 

I'm curious as to what everyone is doing. I haven't a clue!!

rlb81

Was considering giving up meat for all of Lent (not just Friday), but I don't think I could do that. Although, a good friend did that last year and now rarely ever eats meat!

I'm thinking of doing diet soda. It will still be difficult to give up though!

[Deleted User]

That's a good question. I remember this coming Wed was Ash Wednesday, but I totally forgot about giving something up, hum...will have to think about that one. Maybe candy/chocolate...

Btw, congrats for going through RCIA, I went through it last fall and was confirmed this past Easter at the Easter Vigil Mass. It is very nice to be able to go to church together and receive and also have the same spiritual beliefs. Congrats again!

berrytr

Meat, everyday.  I'm also considering chocolate.

amarch

I'm giving up chocolate, which is a big one for me! 

meltoine

I follow the pre-Vatican II rules on fasting: no meat, fasting on Fridays. Also, I'm giving up smoking. Wish me luck! 

Also - FYI, whatever you give up, you are supposed to eat/do on Sundays, because there is no fasting on Sundays. I don't think I can do that with what I'm giving up, though!

akg0053

When I was younger, I gave up artificial caffeine (in sodas, strong teas, etc... basically any artificially added caffeine) and haven't had any since. Sometimes it can bring about better lifestyle choices )

This year, I'm not giving up anything, I'm just going to do more working out and taking care of my body in general.

Theresa626

When I was in high school, I used to try to do a random act of kindness every week.  In college, I used to try to volunteer once a week.  Before that, I gave up gum and/or soda.  But, I never drink soda  or chew gum anymore so I can't give those up.  To be honest, I've grown a little bitter and angry with the church lately.  Really honestly, planning the wedding has made me feel much less happy with the Catholic church and more angry with them so I don't think I'll probably give anything up this year.  It's sad because before I decided to get married in the Catholic church, I felt pretty good about being catholic.  They've just been so incredibly money hungry and difficult to work with and in my opinion, unreasonable that I've felt very pushed away.  I'm mostly angry about how demanding they are with the money though.  I'm being overcharged by every wedding vendor and then the church has to join in on it too. 

Wow, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean for this to turn into a rant about the Catholic church....

baystateapple

Meltoine, good for you!  I think that's great!

rlb81

Sorry to hear that Theresa. My father left the church because he was fed up w/ their "money hungry" attitudes... and I feel so blessed that we have not experienced this at all.

Back to Lent though- when I was in college (I went to a Jesuit college), every Friday during Lent there were signs ALL over the cafeteria remind everyone that it was Friday. However I've always fasted on Fridays in addition to something else. I always stick to the Friday fasting but not necessarily whatever else I give up...

awestie

I have come accustomed to drinking only water during lent...no juice, no coffee, no diet soda, and the money I save I donate to Catholic Relief Service's Project Rice Bowl. 

In addition to that, each year as the youth minister, the youth group puts on the passion play...it's a wonderful process, with a spiritual formation built in it....but near the end of it, I start losing my patience. So, every time I start to lose my patience, I put $10 into my Rice Bowl...the youth ministry kids started following suit, by putting money in it when tensions began to run high....by the end, that rice bowl is pretty hefty. 

bel138

I haven't decided yet, which is bad. I toyed with the idea of observing the strict fast/abstinence rules of the Eastern church, but decided that would be a bad idea while I was in surgery. Perhaps all sweets, as I have a huge sweet tooth.

GulfCoaster

I'm giving up high fructose corn syrup, I think -- this means that I will have to abstain from many of my processed-food vices. 

I've also been trying to figure out some sort of charity/service to perform during Lent, but I haven't decided that yet.

[Deleted User]

I think I figured it out ladies...my FI and I both decided to give up sex during Lent. I know it will be hard, but with God's help we can do it. Even the couples on our Engaged Encounter weekend recommended it. That way we can go to confession before the wedding and start our marriage fresh and new. We belive it will make our wedding night even more special and meaningful.

SillyLGoose

I work with all women. We all know how a group of women can be when you put the together. I'm going to try to be like Thumper from Bambi, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all." 

clearheavens

For Lent, I am trying to be more charitable to people.  Smile more, be more polite, be more positive, be more giving, and be more forgiving!

Riss91

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_giving-up-lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:915ba5b7-3814-4d12-95a2-14ab7b217539Post:4d11fd6b-9e67-4e3f-bfdc-43be64a18ba9">Re: What are you giving up for Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]When I was in high school, I used to try to do a random act of kindness every week.  In college, I used to try to volunteer once a week.  Before that, I gave up gum and/or soda.  But, I never drink soda  or chew gum anymore so I can't give those up.  To be honest, I've grown a little bitter and angry with the church lately.  Really honestly, planning the wedding has made me feel much less happy with the Catholic church and more angry with them so I don't think I'll probably give anything up this year.  It's sad because before I decided to get married in the Catholic church, I felt pretty good about being catholic.  They've just been so incredibly money hungry and difficult to work with and in my opinion, unreasonable that I've felt very pushed away.  I'm mostly angry about how demanding they are with the money though.  I'm being overcharged by every wedding vendor and then the church has to join in on it too.  Wow, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean for this to turn into a rant about the Catholic church....
Posted by Theresa626[/QUOTE]

Oh Theresa, it really stinks that you've dealt with some bad eggs. But, I would really try harder to not let them ruin your faith for you. Giving something up for Lent is something you do personally and has nothing to do with this priest or that parish. It would really be a shame for you to let them get in your way. Plus, by foregoing on something spiritual - who does it hurt? I really hope you can find a new parish (after the wedding especially) that is run with a better attitude. They do exist, I promise.

Calypso1977

i'm not sure yet.  i usually give up booze, but i've given that up anyway (along with sweets) for my new diet.

Precious_Kitty

This year for Lent, I am giving up beef. It might not sound like a big deal to some, but being Mexican makes it tough! Sure, I can alter some things that are home cooked using turkey or chicken like tacos, enchiladas, burgers; but I definitely will miss those dollar-menu burgers, chili cheese fries and beef chow mein! Family gatherings will also be challenging with this sacrifice, and I know there are some people I will have to inform about my sacrifice. I did this a couple of years ago though, and lost a good 10-15 lbs. so that will ensure my dress fits for the wedding.

Last year I "gave up" profanity; that was challenging when road-rage, conversations with mom & siblblings, and accidental self-inflicted injuries happened (practically a daily occurence for some, if not all incidents mentioned). It made me realize how immature and crude I could be sometimes.

When thinking of something to give up for Lent, consider your daily routine and your bad habits. Make it something that will be challenging for you, and when temptation arises, remember that Jesus gave up his life for us. 40 days compared to eternity is nothing!

mcdol3

meltoine - Good luck!!!
lburkey21 - I'll be confirmed at Easter too!!

I have such a hard time with this. I have hypoglycemia, so giving up food is actually harmful to me. I'm already on a diet to level out my blood sugar so there's not much I can do in that respect.

I would love to find a way to actually quantify being less selfish. We are getting a puppy, so I think adding a new family member will be a huge "don't be selfish" part of life and naturally help with that.
One thing I would love to do, is call my out of town friends more often. I WILL call one each week and just listen to them. Their lives are important and their friendship is invaluable.
Precious_Kitty, you made a good point in your post.
If you don't mind, I will also take your "give up profanity". When I'm frustrated, stressed or angry, I swear like a pirate (according to my FI). It's not that I like saying those things, they just come out. So, I will not verbalize profanity and hope it becomes a habit 

Precious_Kitty

Mcdol3, of course I don't mind! "Giving up" profanity might seem a little hard, but I guarantee you will be more aware of what you say, and that is always a good thing. When I did that last year, I noticed how common it was, and even found myself reminding others how unnecessary it is.

mcdol3

PK, I think the awareness is what will be the kicker here. When you start to focus on something you just do, it gives you a wake up call. heehee

Precious_Kitty

Mcdol, my FI has decided to give up profanity too! I know it will be tough for him, especially since he works with a bunch of guys!

mcdol3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_giving-up-lent?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:915ba5b7-3814-4d12-95a2-14ab7b217539Post:4c2fd2eb-e383-47aa-9c66-332d44a5363b">Re: What are you giving up for Lent?</a>:
[QUOTE]Mcdol, my FI has decided to give up profanity too! I know it will be tough for him, especially since he works with a bunch of guys!
Posted by Precious_Kitty[/QUOTE]

It's tough when everyone around you uses it. I got so used to using when I was in college and never really grew out of it.
Oh, and epic fail on the first day of lent. I can't believe how many things went wrong. Had to tell FI that and all he said was that God was testing me and I didn't make it. Try again tomorrow lol
<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-embarassed.gif" border="0" alt="Embarassed" title="Embarassed" />

lovelyladybabydoll148

This year it's Pillsbury crescent rolls because I've been eating those a lot lately! Since Thanksgiving, I've had at least 10 packs which is 80 rolls.  Also, two years ago I started with no red meat on Wed, and only fish (as a meat) on Fridays, but many meals I try to keep vegetarian on those days. It also helps that Fridays are my sushi nights :0)  Congrats on participating in RCIA!