Living Ash Wednesday... Integrated

During the days leading up to Lent I have spent the final minutes of 1:1 coaching sessions hearing about Lenten plans. Plans that include sacrifices, fasts, holy hours, daily masses, etc. Women and their families fasting from things like sugar, social media, snacks after dinner, and sarcasm. Adding in things like extra Rosaries, a new prayer book, a simple journal or a few extra minutes of daily prayer. 

Then the conversation turns to Ash Wednesday with the fasting AND abstinence... cue the hard gulp-like swallow. 

After some brief discussion about the Church Law* and what it REALLY means to fast and maintain abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, I typically get the question: "Betsy, how do you navigate Ash Wednesday?"

An Integrated Plan for Ash Wednesday

It has taken years of practice to keep it simple and integrated. In an effort to help you live Ash Wednesday integrated I offer the following suggestions: 

+ Plan your day around prayer (and getting Ashes), activity and service - NOT MEALS

+ Schedule your two small meals/bigger snacks strategically in your day. For example, I have my first small meal at 9am it consists of, 1 slice of avocado toast, and my second small meal at 2pm that consists of 1/2c greek yogurt w/seeds and 1/2c of berries. The largest meal consists of 1 piece of salmon, 2 fists of cooked veggies and a small side salad is served at 6pm followed by a dandelion tea, the Rosary and bed! 

+ Think about things that you can do that take you outside of yourself. These actions or acts of service, take your focus away from thinking only about yourself and turning your gaze toward God and others. In order to to turn my gaze outward, I will bring a load of donations to goodwill, take a walk with the dog around the neighborhood without my phone so I may listen to the birds and be intentional with a smile to those I pass on the way. I also use Ash Wednesday to a deep clean of one room in the house as a way to remind myself that Lent is a time where the Lord deep cleans my mind and soul! 

Strategize for temptations - they will come

What happens when hunger strikes and temptation comes... I have been known to head to the fridge. BUT I grab a fancy glass of iced water from the pretty pitcher I prepared in the morning: filtered water, raspberries and mint. I pour myself a glass from a beautiful glass pitcher and head outside for a slow walk around my backyard while my dog runs around. I take this time to breathe slowly, talk with God and enjoy the surroundings. Having a strategy for when the temptations come is what helps me grow in virtue and admit that I cannot do it alone. Ask the Holy Spirit and your Guardian Angel to assist you with your strategies.

Please be assured of my prayers as you enter into Lent - I pray daily for every woman in the Integrated Catholic Woman community. Please pray for me too. 

Reminder: Lean into Lent registration is open until March 1 - Click here to find out more.

*Catholic Church Law According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law (cc. 1249-1253), Abstinence (no meat) binds Catholics aged 14+ on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. Fasting (one full meal) binds adults aged 18–59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 

*Traditional Catholic Canon Law (specifically the 1917 Code) imposes strict fasting and abstinence, generally requiring Catholics aged 21-29 to eat only one full meal and two smaller, meat-free meals on fast days. Abstinence from meat applies to those 14 and older, covering all Fridays, Ember Days, Lent, and specific vigils.