It's coming. Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday! Or, as I would say if I were French or a citoyenne of New Orleans, it's Mardi Gras!
Now, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but Catholics tend to treat it as one. My pastor said last year that around here, more people come to Church on Ash Wednesday than even on Christmas or Easter! I guess maybe people do realize the reality of sin... Or they just want to shout out that they "belong" with those Catholics over there, and they want everybody to know it!
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and a day of abstinence. Fasting means two small meals, only one regular meal, and no food in between meals. Abstinence means no meat whatsoever, unless you are very old, very young, or in some kind of health crisis.
Personally, I always try to do the old Irish black fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That means just bread and water. I'm young, and the discipline always helps.
Monday, February 27, 2006
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Yeah, I was talking to a friend of mine about getting a ride to church for Ash Wednesday and he said, "That's a Holy Day of Obligation, isn't it? So, I guess we better get you there." Since he's a cradle Catholic, I didn't question what he said until I read your blog! Oh, well!
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