ALenten sacrifice is a spiritual practice whereChristians, particularlyCatholics,Lutherans,Anglicans,Methodists,Moravians and theUnited Protestants voluntarily renounce a pleasure or luxury during the observance ofLent, which begins onAsh Wednesday.[3][4] The tradition of Lent has its roots inJesus Christ praying and fasting forforty days in the desert according to the gospels ofMatthew,Mark andLuke.[5] When Lent is over andEaster Sunday arrives, the faithful are able to indulge in what they sacrificed during the Lenten season.[6][7][8]
Common Lenten sacrifices include abstaining from pleasures such as chocolate, sugar, sweets, orsoft drinks.[9][7] Some Christians choose to practicetemperance throughout the Lenten season, thus giving up alcoholic beverages;[10][11][12] in light of this,temperance drinks experience a surge of popularity during the Lenten season.[13] Others, on the first day of Lent, pledge to give up sinful behaviours, such as using profanity, and hope to permanently rid themselves of these habits even after the arrival ofEastertide.[14] While making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary for Christians topray for strength to keep it; many often wish others for doing so as well, e.g. "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice."[15][16]
Many Christians sacrifice the eating of meat and commit tovegetarianism for the entire Lenten season.[17][18] It is commonplace for many Christians (especially Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists) to observe theFriday Fast throughout Lent, which includesabstaining from meat on the Fridays of Lent.[19][20][21]
Some Christian clergy, both Roman Catholic and Methodist, have encouraged the faithful not to give upsocial media for Lent as they believe that Christians can use social media forevangelism.[22][23][24]
Prayer,fasting andalmsgiving are the three pillars of Lent, with Lent-observing Christians striving to practice these throughout the Lenten season.[25]Christian denominations often set certain requirements for the practice offasting, such as those found inPope Paul VI's apostolic constitutionPaenitemini in the Catholic Church,A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent in Lutheranism, theBook of Common Prayer in Anglicanism, andThe Sunday Service of the Methodists.[20] The faithful are encouraged to practice prayer more intensively and to take part more inchurch services and devotions (e.g. theWay of the Cross). Likewise, they engage inworks of mercy and give alms, along with participating in othermeans of grace.[26][27] The Lenten sacrifice is related to these three pillars of Lent. The money an individual would normally spend on rich foods, such as sweets or soft drinks, is donated as alms for the poor (cf.offering).[28] The giving away of one's own money as alms for the needy can itself be considered a Lenten sacrifice.[29] In addition to making their Lenten sacrifice, many Christians choose to add a Lentenspiritual discipline, such as reading adaily devotional or praying through aLenten calendar, to draw themselves nearer to God.[30][31] Traditionally, the Lenten sacrifice is maintained from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday with the Sundays of Lent being included; historically, fasting and abstinence were enjoined during the weekdays of Lent, with Sundays being days of abstinence.[7][32][33]
In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in imitation of Jesus Christ's sacrifice during his journey into the desert for 40 days; this is known as one's Lenten sacrifice.
To fast 40 days without being hungry, was certainly far above the strength of man, but to be hungry at any time is inconsistent with God; for which reason our blessed Saviour, that he might not manifestly declare his divinity, was afterwards hungry. S. Hil. -- On this example, as well as that of Moses and Elias, who also fasted 40 days, the fast of Lent was instituted by the apostles, and is of necessity to be observed according to the general consent of the ancient Fathers. S. Jerom (ep. liv. ad Marcel.) says, we fast 40 days, or make one Lent in a year, according to the tradition of the apostles.
I knew part of the answer involved a tradition where everybody had to "give up" something from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - the festival where people give up a guilty pleasure for 40 days until Easter Sunday. Lent marks the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
Giving something up is a practice to purify us and prepare us for the celebration of Easter Sunday, so it's a way for us to connect and understand more about Christ and God.
some Christians choose to practice temperance – refraining from drinking alcohol - throughout the Lenten season.
While undergoing a Lenten sacrifice, it is helpful to pray for strength ; and encouraging fellow Christians in their fast saying, for example: "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice."
Days of Fasting or Abstinence All the Fridays in the Year, except Christmas-Day
As a Lenten sacrifice, it can "train" me with a reminder to pray for someone with less, to give the money I would have spent on chocolate to someone in need, and to strive to live in gratitude for Christ's gift of salvation.
Almsgiving is a true Lenten sacrifice because we do it without expecting to receive anything in return.
But although the Sundays in Lent are notfasting days, there can be no question that, by the common law of the Church, they are days of most rigorousabstinence.
