Coming from a Protestant tradition, I grew up hearing about Lent but never having any practice associated with it. In the years since, I've gathered that there's some sort of connection between Easter, Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Fat Tuesday. Would someone please explain how it all fits together?

According to Catholicism, how long can the main meal during Lent last for (time wise)? Most Catholics who fast regularly know how to fast and abstain on fast days, especially during Lent. But, is there some guidance or rule in the writings of Catholic theologians or Canon Law on how long (duration in time) the main meal of a fast is permitted to be? For example, are Catholics permitted to make the unique meal of the day last one, two or perhaps even three hours? Are there any historical references that deal with this subject matter? Naturally we must avoid gluttony even on fast days!

There are some online sources, that say, that in Venezuela, capybara is "allowed" during Lent, because it's classified as a fish with a Papal bull. [In Atlas Obscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/capybara-venezuela) > Sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries (accounts vary), Venezuelan clergymen wrote to the Vatican with a special request. They had discovered an animal that lived in water, had webbed feet, and tasted like fish. With Lent approaching, they asked the Vatican to grant the animal the status of fish, so they might eat it during the upcoming days of meat-free fasting. By letter, the Catholic Church agreed, and the capybara—the largest living rodent in the world—became a coveted addition to many Lenten dinner tables. [In this blogpost](https://www.cogwriter.com/news/religious-news/did-a-pope-conclude-a-rodent-was-a-fish-for-lent/) , citing a biology book > “In 1784 and after several attempts at obtaining a Vatican license, a Papal Bull (decree) allowed the consumption of capybara flesh during Lent…” – Capybara: Biology, Use and Conservation of an Exceptional Neotropical Species, by José Roberto Moreira, Katia Maria P.M.B., Springer Aug 15, 2012, page 307 [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/world/americas/21rodent.html) > Legend has it that eating capybara, known here as chigüire (pronounced chee-GWEE-reh), got a boost in the 18th century when the local clergy asked the Vatican to give capybara the status of fish. [Sun Sentinel](https://web.archive.org/web/20150219020316/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-03-18/news/0303170443_1_rodents-lenten-capybara) > The missionaries reported back to Rome that they had encountered an animal that was hairy and scaly and spent more of its time in the water than on land. They asked whether their new converts could continue to eat capybara at Lent, a time when Catholics traditionally avoid meat. > > With no clear idea of what the capybara was or looked like and concerned a ban would lead to indigenous communities starving during Lent, the Vatican immediately ruled that the semi-aquatic mammal was in fact a fish. This claim is also repeated on Wikipedia, but also citing just biology books. > After several attempts a 1784 Papal bull was obtained that allowed the consumption of capybara during Lent. > > López de Ceballos, Eduardo (1974). Fauna de Venezuela y su conservación. Venezuela: Editorial Arte. > > Herrera, Emilio A.; Barreto, Guillermo R. (2012). "Capybaras as a Source of Protein: Utilization and Management in Venezuela". In Moreira, J.; Ferraz, K.; Herrera, E.; Macdonald, D. (eds.). Capybara: Biology, Use and Conservation of an Exceptional Neotropical Species. Springer New York. pp. 305–320 The second source is then citing the first source (Ceballos 1974); that book is not available online. (edit: I have removed this claim from Wikipedia Capybara article now.) However, I cannot find any actual bull or any actual Catholic source. (I don't speak Spanish.) Is this an urban legend and capybara is canonically not a fish?

NPR ran an interesting piece about [the saga of whether or not Catholics could eat alligator on Fridays during Lent](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/27/175058833/forget-fish-fridays-in-louisiana-gator-is-on-the-lenten-menu) . According to the story, an alligator merchant by the name of Jim Piculas advocated in a letter to [Archibishop Gregory Aymond](http://www.arch-no.org/aymond) for permission to consider alligator as seafood, and thus exempt from the prohibition on Friday meat consumption. Now, aside from the giggles on the matter, what authority does the Archbishop of New Orleans have to set out the orthopractic model of Catholic belief in New Orleans? I understand that the Bishop of Rome has the authority, when speaking ex cathedra, to promulugate doctrine - but I've never heard that other Bishops have this right. In declaring a reptile equivalent to a fish, the Archbishop seems to have made a fairly significant theological interpretation. What gives him the authority to do so?

I was surprised to learn that Ash Wednesday is not one of the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation (see [this list](https://www.omvusa.org/blog/catholic-holy-days-of-obligation/)) although it is listed [here](https://hallow.com/blog/holy-days-of-obligation/) as "important liturgical observances". I thought Catholics are obliged to go to Mass on Ash Wednesday, or do they just need to fast ([according to precept #4](http://www.stvincentschurch.com/uploads/4/2/5/8/42588219/the_precepts_of_the_catholi_church.pdf) because precept #1 says to "... attend Mass and holy days of obligation ...")? **Why not make Ash Wednesday into a "holy day of obligation"?** Wouldn't that day be at least as important (spiritually) as the 3 (out of 6 non-Sunday days) dedicated to Mary? (I'm also surprised that Good Friday is not in the list either, but I don't want to clutter this question).

Way of The Cross is a devotion followed by Catholic Church especially during Lent. It comprises of 14 Stations, the representative images of which are placed on the walls of the church. The pattern of positioning of the Stations from first to 14th is anti- clockwise , with Station 1 starting from the right of the altar following Versus Populum tradition. One seldom sees a clock-wise positioning. My question is: **Is there a rule concerning the positioning of Stations of the Cross in Catholic Churches?**

I've been a Catholic my whole life and this Lent is the first time I've ever heard the term Passiontide. I was just wondering though, because it doesn't seem to fit the same trend as the other mini-seasons, why does it start the last two weeks in Lent and isn't simply synonymous with Holy Week? And if Palm Sunday is Passion Sunday, why would Passiontide start before it?

St. Francis wrote a “Way of the Cross” and several centuries later St. Alphonsus also wrote one. I have been reading both in parallel, and (in my personal opinion) they are both lovely. What would be the distinguishing features that would lead a church to observe one vs. the other during Lent?

I read from a little book called the *Manual of Catholic Devotions* (by Regina Press, with an imprimatur dated 24 July 1963) that the rules for fasting and abstinence in the United States at that time were: > Abstinence alone is prescribed every Friday, unless a holiday of obligation falls thereon. > > Fasting and Abstinence are prescribed in the United States on the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent and Holy Saturday forenoon (on all other days of Lent fasting alone is prescribed and meat is allowed once a day), the Ember Days, viz., the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following the First Sunday of Lent, Pentecost or Whitsunday, the 14th of September, and the Third Sunday of Advent; the Vigils of Pentecost, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. > > There is no fast or abstinence if a Vigil falls on a Sunday. Whenever meat is permitted, fish may be taken at the same meal. The same book defines fasting and abstinence as follows: > Abstinence forbids the use of flesh-meat and of the juice thereof (soup, etc.). Eggs, cheese, butter and seasonings of food are permitted. The Law of Fasting forbids more than one full meal a day, which must not be taken before noon. Based on the description there doesn't seem to be much difference between the Ember Days in Lent and the other days in Lent: both fasting and abstinence are required on Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent, so the Lenten Ember Wednesday and Friday appear to have the same rules as any other Wednesday or Friday in Lent. Therefore only Ember Saturday appears to have an additional restriction of abstinence compared to other days in Lent. Is this correct? If so, is the similarity between the Lenten Ember Days and the other days of Lent at this time (early 1960s) due to the relaxation of fasting/abstinence rules over time, or were they always so similar?

The *crotalus* or wooden clapper is an instrument used in churches across the world in Lenten season, especially during the Holy Week. Its sound evokes feelings of repentance, sacrifice, and remorse. Incidentally, natives of some countries like Hungary use it irrespective of religion, during celebrations. When did Catholic churches start using the *crotalus* for functions during the Holy Week?

Close to the Lenten season in the Catholic Church, I frequently see announcements for a **Lenten Penitential service** in Catholic parish weekly bulletins and websites, which is on a weekday, and seems to have a completely different liturgy than a regular mass. For example, in [this YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUrO8Z7pzII) from a 2021 Lenten Penitential Service in the Edmonton area, Alberta, Canada, the priest started with a prayer followed by a Bible reading, a homily about repentance, a preface before examination of conscience, another prayer to forgiving others and ourselves, a reading of the whole text for examination of conscience (see the video description), penitential prayers, and ended with an invitation to come individually to the sacrament of reconciliation. It seems to assist parishioners for confession before the Easter celebration, which understandably is encouraged during the Lenten season, but unlike Ash Wednesday it's not an obligation. It doesn't seem to be prevalent since [Google search](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22lenten+penitential+service%22&oq=%22len&aqs=edge.0.69i59j69i57j0i131i433i512j0i433i512j0i131i433i512j0i433i512l3j0i512.3264j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) only yields 3,380 results. I hope the answer will address the following: 1. Is there a document from Vatican governing the format, or can it vary depending on country / diocese? If not, what are the necessary elements? 2. What is the sacramental nature of this service? 3. Is the text of the prayers in the service standard? Is the choice of Bible reading correspond to the assigned reading of the day, specially standardized for this service, or at the bishop/priest's discretion? 4. Why is it separated from Ash Wednesday? What was its origin? 5. What is the purpose behind this service? 6. Does a parish offer it more than one time per year? Can it be conducted upon parishioners's request?

What information do we have about early Lent fasting practices? I saw an interesting reference to Ramadan having grown out of Syrian Lent practices, but aside from that, I haven't found any good descriptions of early Christian fasting methods outside of 7th century Syria. Generally when I read about early Christian fasting I just assume they were abstaining from food and drink for the entire period referenced but they obviously couldn't do that for 40 days and 40 nights. If the practices are poorly documented during the early church, at what point does something resembling a standardized Catholic 40 day/night fast begin to emerge?

Since I learned of this practice, I thought that placing ashes on Ash Wednesday is practiced worldwide, at least within the Roman Catholic Church. But now I have been to a Mass (on the first Lent Sunday, when ashes may be placed for those who didn't receive this sacramental on Ash Wednesday) attended by some Portuguese people. They seemed puzzled when they saw the priest placing ashes on other worshipers - they apparently didn't know the practice. I checked the Czech (I'm Czech) and English Wikipedias, and they both highlight the practice of placing ashes. I don't speak Portuguese, but Portuguese Wikipedia has no ashes-themed picture and from the little I understand, it seems that this practice is not even mentioned there. Anyway, Portugal is unlikely to be the only country not observing imposition of ashes. English Wikipedia gives a list of churches observing Ash Wednesday, but not one of countries where the practice of placing ashes is (or is not) observed in the Roman Catholic Church. Is there any such list?

I was taught that Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. However, in church on Ash Wednesday, my Priest stated that it used to be 3 days and was extended to 40. I can only assume that the 3 days were the time Jesus was entombed. Was Lent ever 3 days? Was this official doctrine? And if so, when and why was it changed?

There are some things that I've been told since I was kid that I'd like to ask about regarding fasting. I'm a of Catholic Maronite Rite and I'd like Catholic answers. - Are we allowed to eat whatever we want on Sundays? I've been taught not to fast on Sundays, therefore we can eat whatever we want on Sundays all day long. - Are we allowed to drink? I've been told that we can drink water, only Muslims don't drink water while fasting. Some Christians do it, but it's optional. - Is Saturday or Sunday the last day of lent? I believe it's Sunday, meaning you cannot eat on Holy Saturday, my friend is a Catholic too and he believes that he can eat on Holy Saturday. - What about fish and egg? I don't eat meat in the first and last week. however, I eat fish and eggs. Is it allowed? I've been told so.

If I'm Catholic Argentinian by birth and citizenship and reside in Argentina, then the only thing to check is if I'm Eastern Catholic or Roman Catholic. If I'm - Roman Catholic, - French in nationality and citizenship by birth, - but I recently renounced my French citizenship temporarily - to apply to some other citizenship say of Country X - and have yet to reapply for French citizenship because I don't yet have time - but I intend to reapply for French citizenship - and I reside in Germany, then 1. Which set of holy days of obligation will I follow? (France, Germany, Country X, a certain intersection, a certain union) 2. Which lent fasting rules will I follow? (France, Germany, Country X, a certain intersection, a certain union) 3. How do the answers above change if I reacquire my French citizenship? Of course **I'm not asking specifically** about France, Germany and Roman Catholicism (This question extends to Eastern Catholicism and whatever is full communion with Roman Catholicism). **I'm asking in general**: - Which diocese/region/country/whatever do Catholics (I'm asking for roman catholicism, but you can answer eastern or other full communion's if you want) fall under for purposes of holy days of obligation or lent, do when they have dual or renounced citizenships or when they reside in a country that is not of their citizenship? --- Related: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/75713/are-filipino-roman-catholics-required-to-not-have-meat-on-all-fridays-of-lent https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/79822/google-calendar-for-catholic-holdiays-holy-days-of-obligation

> Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. - Wikipedia I included this Wikipedia quote only because it was easiest and really seems to reflect a near universal consensus on the symbolic purpose of the Lenten season. Various traditions practice Lent differently and some do not practice at all but the underlying Scriptural basis appears to be agreed upon among those who do. The three synoptic gospels use 3 different words which carry different degrees of intensity to describe Jesus departing into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit: > Mat 4:1  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. > > Mar 1:12  The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. > > Luk 4:1  And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan > and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness Two things immediately jump out: First, Jesus did not go into the wilderness of His own accord but was taken there (led or driven) by the Holy Spirit and, second, He was taken there for the purpose of being tempted (more accurately tested) by the devil. Since there is unanimity in the Scriptural basis of the practice but differences in the application of the practice I am wondering if there is unanimity in the spiritual, motivational desire. Are Lenten practitioners attempting to enter into Jesus' experience of having been led or driven by the Holy Spirit into deprivation to be tested by the devil or is it more of a ritual of remembrance?

On English Language Learners, the definition of meat came up, and the question of what animals comprise meat. Tangentially, this led to a question about Catholics abstaining from meat on Lenten Fridays. What is considered meat in this sense, and historically, how has this definition changed over the centuries?

Please provide a link to an official document on the rules of Lent for Filipino Roman Catholics (or non-Filipino Roman Catholics who are in the Philippines for Lent or something) specifically and where the rules aren't mentioned only in passing or in an FAQ. Last night, my parent told me that my parent heard the only days of abstinence are ash wednesday and good friday, even though I've been practicing every friday of lent (plus ash wed and good fri) for over a decade. I have spent over an hour on this but could not find such reference. What I've gathered so far: 1. According to this website , the US Roman Catholic law of not having meat on all Fridays of Lent is not necessarily applicable to Roman Catholics who aren't American (or who aren't in the US). It says > If you are outside the United States, check with the bishops' conference for your country for specific fasting rules. And this is really under the Roman Catholic section and not the Eastern Catholic section. 2. I notice phjesuits.org mentions in number 5 but not in number 2 . What's up with that? Additionally - 2.1. It's only an FAQ, so, ostensibly, this isn't quite a primary source. - 2.2. It doesn't seem to specify Filipino Roman Catholics. Is the article implying this is applicable to all Roman Catholics (eg even in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day and in Hong Kong on Chinese New Year, whenever either of those two holidays fall on a day of abstinence - Ah well, maybe that's what 'solemnity' covers, in which case 'solemnity' is local)? 3. I was able to find A SINGLE BUT ONLY A SINGLE official reference from the CBCP saying that this applies to Filipino Roman Catholics but mentions only in passing as part of an article about love and stuff. - 3.1. Note that there's no mention of 'solemnity' here. Happy Lent!

Jesus says in Matthew 6: > 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. In my experience, Lent observance is a very public exercise. Maybe this is just personal experience, but for everyone I know who observes Lent, they are always very forthright, not only about their observance, but about what thing they are giving up for Lent. It seems to me that, based on Jesus instruction in Matthew 6, Lent ought be a very private practice. Does Roman Catholicism (or anyone else observing Lent) reconcile the public nature of Lent observance with these verses?