Saturday, April 3, 2010

Lent.

For quite sometime now, I am convinced that the word LENT is of Dutch origin. Maybe it's not. But here's why I think it's Dutch. Lent (lente) means spring in Dutch. Spring means rebirth.

In Catholic tradition, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is normally sometime in February, and culminates in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is Easter of course, mostly sometime in late March or early April.

Among Christians, Lent is observed through penitence and self-denial by fasting (less drinking and smoking, no overeating) and abstinence (no impure thoughts, no fighting and arguing). People also try not to eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays. So during Lent, there's an attempt to try to purify one's soul, one's spirit.... which leads to rebirth.

Anyway, here´s an exerpt of penitence and self-denial Philippine-style. This footage is a bit offensive to some. So please be warned.



3 comments:

Unknown said...

I saw this on the news the past week, I think. It's quite remarkable!!! And if you ask me, pushing it a bit too far! But well, it's a very deeply rooted tradition.
Cheers!

Droomvla said...

@Aledys: Hey, nice to see you again. HAPPY EASTER!

This `practice´ has long been banned but there are people who still do it.

Anita said...

I didn't have the courage to see the video (Ik ben een mietje !). Seriously: since I have become a mother I avoid lots of heavy images. By the way, there is a promo in my blog going on, maybe you are interested in participating on it?