History of Lent & Fasting Traditions feat. Kristen Van Uden

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“If you do not know how to feast, you do not know how to feast.” -GK Chesterton

Not gonna lie… as a teen I usually weighed my Lenten resolution options against how good I’d look in a swimsuit by Easter. To be honest, I never “got” fasting. I still don’t know if I do, but this year I’ve received a few great new books that completely transformed my outlook on Lent and fasting and, dare I say, made me look forward to this penitential season!?

Today I’m going way beyond the McDonald’s fish sandwich and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I’m interviewing one of the editors of Sophia Institute Press’s The Lenten Cookbook. Kristen Van Uden is a wealth of knowledge regarding how Lent and different fasting traditions came together over the centuries. You’ll also learn about the TRUE purpose of fasting and how to do it well, and the continuity of fasting traditions throughout the centuries.

Topics Discussed

• Fasting as preparation and reparation
• Importance of integrating our physical bodies and spiritual souls
• Overview of the history of Lent
• Early fasting traditions: The Black Fast, Xerophagia, Collations, Ember Days, Rogation Days
• The Church’s current fasting requirements

Resources

• Buy The Lenten Cookbook here! 
• Catholic Icing- Great resources for Catholic families 

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