Lent

February 25, 2009, Ash Wednesday, is the start of Lent, a forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and penance before Easter, in the Catholic calendar. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible, He endured temptaion by satan.

It's a time when we give up something, examining our lives through fasting and prayers. It's a time to be extra charitable, giving to the poor and those who are in need. We donate money, clothing, books and other basic necessities to the Church to give to those who are less privileged than most of us. To learn more about Lent, please click here.

During the Lenten season, Catholics are obliged to fast — to limit themselves to one full meal or two lighter meals — and abstain — refrain from eating meat — on certain days. So, it's a great time to be a vegetarian. In view of the world food price hikes, pork, beef, even chicken meat are getting more expensive nowadays. There are lots of delicious and healthy vegetarian dishes that we can learn to make for our family. Veggie lasagna, anyone?