Do you participate in any Lenten activities or have any special devotions during Lent? Do you get ashes on your forehead for Ash Wednesday (tomorrow)?

I don't get the ashes mainly because I'm always working on Wednesday and can't get away to go to church.

Lent is a very special time of year to me. As a Catholic, there are many special devotions I try to do during this time. Going to Confession is one. My church prays the rosary and the Stations of the Cross every Friday night followed by a fish fry. I try to go to as many of those as possible. I also use the time to reflect on what I could be doing to better serve God in my life.

In my time I have had the ashes on my forehead and attended many stations of the cross.

I was in church today but I was the only one in there...that is my peace time, I do that ever so often .....I light a candle and reflect on those that have passed on.

I like the idea of the fish fry

Peace Be with You

Tim, that's nice that you get that quiet time in church. It's comforting for me too to be able to light candles for my loved ones. I prefer going to Mass on any day except Sunday. I know we are supposed to go Sundays but weekday Masses are virtually empty of people and it's so peaceful.

Things have changed a lot in Ireland....lots of people go to mass on a Saturday Evening and it seems to Qualify as attending mass on Sunday....

It's not just Ireland. That's everywhere now. Although I go to a little traditional Catholic church where they still do the old Mass in Latin. And there's no Saturday night Mass that counts for Sunday.

Sounds silly maybe but I really liked Going to Mass when it was said in Latin. I used to sing in the choir in Latin.

Your Church sounds really interesting.

It doesn't sound silly at all. Theres nothing more beautiful than the traditional Catholic Mass. I hate the new Mass and I won't go if I can help it.

I beg to differ, you are.

Lent is a time of cleansing. We use up all the old flour and such to make breads and cookies. Today is Fat Tuesday is the last day of feasting on all the goodies we made. Followed by 6 weeks of fasting. When my daughters were young we did a rice bowl. You put the money you would have spent on goodies in a bowl at the end of Lent it went to the missions. Amazing how much money you can save that way....

She is indeed

Oh I like the idea of using up all the flour and baking stuff! Very good idea.

Fasting is stressed by the church I go to. They do the full 40 day fast except for Sundays.

I don't think I have ever heard of Lent being a time of cleansing. Very interesting.

Thanks for sharing your traditions.

Edit: I take that back. Spring cleaning is something I do during Lent so I think that would be the same thing.