What shall I give up for Lent?

Growing up in the Catholic church and attending Catholic schools for 12 years, I remember well the coming season of Lent, the 40 days before the big celebration of Easter.

By the time the Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday parties end, we were all supposed to have chosen something to give up for Lent, for 40 days deny ourselves something we enjoy. As an 8 year-old, when asked by Sister Godric what my penitence was going to be, I told her: “I was giving up using bad language”, which didn’t go down too well.

I learned quickly, in future years I told my taskmasters exactly what they wanted to hear. “I’m giving up strawberry jam Sister, I love strawberry jam.” Sister Godric asked: “And are you donating the strawberry jam you don’t eat to the poor?” I replied: “No Sister, my little brother is having it, he’s given up blackberry jam.”

It got harder every year deciding what to give up. I would have given up sex, but at that age I thought sex came before seven and when I reached 12 years-old and older, I said “meat.” So did most of the kids in my class. In my last years in school, I chose something I hated, for instance rice pudding, never liked rice pudding at all, so I gave that up. Sounded more believable than meat, because all kids like rice pudding.

When Lent was over, and we were asked if we stuck to our promise to God, I could honestly say “Sister, I swear I have not eaten any rice pudding for the Lentern season, if you don’t believe me, ask my fucking mother.” which didn’t go down too well.

Roman Emperor Nero gave up orgies for Lent, but took up playing with matches



