Tag Archives: Lent

Oh.

Sister Mary Kelly.

Old school.

*shudder*

Shutterstock

Dublin GAA star Noelle Healy with Lenten box stars

This morning.

Unidentified park, Dublin.

Dorothy writes:

The iconic Trócaire Box – which has been a firm Lent feature in Ireland for almost 50 years – will be rolled out to almost 700,000 homes, schools and churches this week.

This year’s appeal highlights how thousands of families in Zimbabwe are struggling with the triple challenges of Covid-19, climate change and a devastated economy. The Trócaire Box features a family – widow Thandekile and her two children – based in Matobo district in southern Zimbabwe who face massive daily challenges in their lives.

Trocaire ambassador and recently retired Dublin Gaelic football star and doctor, Noelle Healy (top left), said:

“Like so many people all over Ireland I grew up with the Trócaire box. It holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Ireland and represents hope for millions in our world who are struggling every day to survive.”

“Lent is the engine that keeps Trócaire’s programmes going throughout the year. The public’s donations this year will help Trócaire continue to work closely with the community in the Matobo district in Zimbabe to ensure they have access to food and other basic needs, as well as raising awareness about Covid-19 prevention and vaccinations. “

Order a box here.

This morning.

Have we lost the true meaning of Lent?

Via Irish Times letters:

When I was a small child, the season of Lent was a time of strict fasting, sacrifice and reflection. While not being subjected to rigorous adherence of the more harsh deprivations associated with Lent, we children were encouraged to decide on the making of at least one sacrifice for the six weeks or so, as much as a means of instilling a habit of discipline as a religious endeavour.

My sister and I generally settled on giving up sweets as our nod to the more straitened Lenten hardships endured by our elders. The eschewing of sweets for six long weeks (excluding the break for St Patrick’s Day) was a trying time for two young girls.

One year, we devised a plan. What if we still bought our usual ration of sweets each week with our pocket money? To our minds, it wouldn’t be cheating. It was merely an efficient way of saving money. After all, the price of sweets might have gone up by the end of Lent.

Whenever we were afflicted by a moment of weakness and the thought of breaking our fast, we stole a peep into the sweet box and were usually sated at the sight of the growing pile, not to mention the aroma.

Our precious stash survived that Lent, and so successful was our endeavour that by Lent the next year, we had sold our idea to other kids on the road – with varying degrees of success!

Anne O’Neill, Dublin 6w

Irish Times letters