Take note as soon as possible. This week begins another edition of this tradition in which many people practice abstinence for a period of 40 consecutive days. One of the most representative festivities for believers of the Catholic Church is the lent. The purpose is to prepare for Easter in Mexico. In the following paragraphs we will tell you when it starts, what its meaning is and what foods can be eaten during these days.
According to Pope Francis, Lent is “a time to renew faith, hope and charity”, as well as to commemorate “the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus”. The Catholic faithful remember and commemorate the sacrifice that Jesus made thousands of years ago, which is why they are prohibited from eating red meat, among other foods.
When does Lent 2023 start?
Lent begins this February 22 with the so-called ‘Ash Wednesday’ and ends next Thursday April 6, when ‘Holy Thursday’ is commemorated and the beginning of Holy Week is given. In total there are 40 consecutive days in which religious believers practice fasting, abstinence, prayers and almsgiving.
This stage represents the period in which Jesus walked through the desert, as well as the 40 years in which the people of Israel remained in Egypt and the 40 days in which God sent a flood. According to the Bible and the Catholic religion, during these weeks some underage devotees practice abstinence from red meat on Fridays.
Lent 2023: meat is not consumed
During Lent, the Catholic faithful are called to strengthen their faith through acts of reflection and penance. But another important detail is that they go through fasting and abstinence. Those who have reached 14 years of age or older must comply with the meat prohibition. Of course, this measure is generally fulfilled only on 3 important days: Ash Wednesday, Lent Friday and Good Friday.
According to the religious, the ban is voluntary. The foods that can be consumed during this stage are white or cold meats such as fish, since it comes from the sea and at that time this was the food that the townspeople ate, compared to the privileged people who had land to plant and animals in their herds.
Lent 2023: fasting according to age
Children up to the age of 14 are not required to fast or abstinence. From 14 to 18 years old if there is an obligation to abstain from meat or other food every Friday of the year.
From 18 to 59 years of age, there is an obligation not to consume meat or other food on the days indicated above, and also to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. And from the age of 59 onwards there is no longer an obligation to fast, but the prohibition to abstain from meat or other food remains.