Catholic Kermit

MASS – (Fr Michael) — today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40 days of the Lenten season.  The homily challenged us to, not only give from our convenience or surplus, but to “give from our want.”

(ARCH of MIAMI) LENTEN REGULATIONS 2008 — The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6.

• Both Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat for all who are fourteen (14) years and older.
• They are also days of fast (one full meal and two small meals, with nothing eaten between the meals) for adults from twenty-one (21) to fifty-nine (59) years of age.
• All Fridays of Lent are days of abstience from meat for those fourteen (14) years and older.
• [source: Adobe Acrobat PDF file (1.8M) on Archdiocese of Miami website]

I found a comedian talking about Lent & Ash Wednesday.  — funny

In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:9-16), St. Peter has a vision in which God reveals that Christians can eat any food. So, when we abstain, it’s not because the food is impure; we’re voluntarily giving up something good, for our spiritual benefit.

More info on Lenten fasting & abstinance on EWTN & About.com (fast & abstinence)