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Catholic moms: Lent question

post #1 of 8
2/17/10 at 1:45pm
Thread Starter 
Um... pardon me for asking a potentially embarrassing question. It's Ash Wednesday and we're supposed to fast. Does that include not having sex?
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post #2 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:03pm
Hrm - good question! Seems like we *should*, but don't know if there's an official statement.... Off to check my catechism....

It'll take me 100 years to find it in the official Catechism - complicated layout!! Checking online....
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post #3 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by annettemarie View Post
Um... pardon me for asking a potentially embarrassing question. It's Ash Wednesday and we're supposed to fast. Does that include not having sex?
Can't answer for Catholics, but among the Orthodox, it's traditional for couples to abstain from intercourse on *all* fasting days/seasons, as well as the night before (and some interpret this as the night after) receiving Holy Communion. And the Orthodox fast for about half the year!

As I'm single, I can't tell you any more than that!
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post #4 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
But... but... it wasn't in the bulletin with the fasting guidelines!

Seriously, we're TTC. Last night we had a sad case of toddler interruptus, so I told him to do his duty this morning. And when I informed him he had to man up again tonight, he told me he thought Catholics were supposed to abstain. (He's a Lutheran pastor; I'm Catholic). And then he quoted Luther at me: Sin boldly.

So, if you're Orthodox you have to abstain from sex all through Lent? *shudders*
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post #5 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:16pm
Looks like abstainence during Lent is strictly dietary! No mention of sex specifically, so I think you're in the clear.
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post #6 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:25pm
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/fast.htm

You're in the clear. Have fun.
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post #7 of 8
2/17/10 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
W00t! Thank you.
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post #8 of 8
2/17/10 at 8:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by annettemarie View Post
But... but... it wasn't in the bulletin with the fasting guidelines!

Seriously, we're TTC. Last night we had a sad case of toddler interruptus, so I told him to do his duty this morning. And when I informed him he had to man up again tonight, he told me he thought Catholics were supposed to abstain. (He's a Lutheran pastor; I'm Catholic). And then he quoted Luther at me: Sin boldly.

So, if you're Orthodox you have to abstain from sex all through Lent? *shudders*
That has to be some interesting marriage you've got there! A Lutheran pastor quoting Luther to his Catholic wife to talk her into nookie on Ash Wednesday?

Well, given that I'm not married, I couldn't tell you how common it is that people hold to the traditional guidelines. The minimum would be W & F and before receiving Holy Communion. Of course, if you're in a mixed marriage, that complicates things.

And it's not just Lent - it's days that amount to half the year! No one ever said Orthodoxy was easy. I just tell people it's not for wusses.
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