Perhaps because of the intense symbolism associated with Lent, such as ashes, fasting, suffering, and death imagery, this season is ripe for the proliferation of superstitions ranging from the ridiculous to the downright frightening.For many people, the concept of Lent can be fear-inspiring. Just the thought of imposing suffering upon themselves, reining in bad habits, giving up favorite foods and drink, can be the cause of anxiety in some people. What if they accidentally break the fast, if they don’t give up enough food, or they spend too little time in prayer? Will something bad happen to them as a result? This kind of fear and anxiety can trigger a natural human tendency for control - which is when superstition comes into play. Mankind is not beyond resorting to magical thinking if they believe it can stave off the wrath of God.
To follow are a few of the more common superstitions from across the centuries:
Marriages in Lent are destined to be unhappy. Marriages celebrated during Lent will be unhappy or doomed. (Italy, Ireland, Spain and Eastern Europe) This superstition began with the belief that because weddings are discouraged during Lent, it must mean that Lenten weddings lead to misfortune. (Ronald Hutton, The Stations of the Sun, Oxford University Press)
Planting or Starting New Ventures During Lent Brings Failure This concerns the belief that businesses started or major projects begun during Lent will fail. This began centuries ago in places like rural England and Ireland where Lent coincides with late winter/early spring when crop failures were common. It gradually expanded to include other business ventures as well. (Jacqueline Simpson, British Folklore and Legends)
Sewing or Spinning During Lent Brings Death or Misfortune Be careful not to do any sewing or needlework during Lent – especially on Fridays – because that invites death into your home! Prevalent in Ireland, Scotland and parts of France, this superstition is believed to be connected to the piercing of Christ’s hands and feet. (Irish Folklore Commission Archives)
Eggs Laid During Lent Are Unlucky or Dangerous Better find out when those eggs you bought at the grocery store were laid because if they were produced during Lent, they may cause illness or bad luck. This belief is known in Germany, Austria and Slavic regions and stems from the suppression of feasting and fertility during Lent. (Claude Lecouteux, The Secret History of the Middle Age)
Children Born During Lent Are Doomed to Suffering Woe to babies born during Lent! This belief, originating in Balkan folklore, comes from a misunderstanding of the meaning of Lent which is thought to be a time of “curse-bearing” rather than a penitential season. (Julio Caro Baroja, The World of the Witches)
Weather on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday Predicts the Entire Year If it rains on Ash Wednesday, expect famine and sickness to strike your household. Storms on Good Friday are believed to be a sign of divine displeasure. This superstition comes from England, France, and Colonial America where pagan weather divination practices infiltrated Christian holy days. (Charles K. Smith, Weather Lore)
Breaking the Fast Invites Immediate Punishment Don’t dare to break the fasting rules of Lent or you risk illness, accidents, or even sudden death. This superstition was found among Medieval Europe and Colonial Catholic communities where moral instruction too often relied upon fear-based storytelling to enforce discipline among a largely illiterate population. (Peter Brown, The Rise of Western Christendom)
Evil Spirits Are More Active During Lent People of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean regions believe that demonic forces are particularly active during Lent to tempt the faithful. This superstition is rooted in a misunderstanding of Christ’s temptations in the desert. (Claude Lecouteux, Demons and Spirits of the Land)
No Haircuts or Bathing During Lent People in rural Spain and parts of Latin America believe that cutting hair or bathing during Lent weakens spiritual defenses and invites sickness. This superstition is an example of how easily ascetic practices can blur into superstition. (Margaret Mead, Cultural Patterns and Technical Change)
Laughing Loudly During Lent Is a Sin or Brings Bad Luck This belief, originating in France, Italy and monastic folklore, is rooted in the idea that excessive joy during Lent offends God and brings misfortune. It was the result of making monastic silence rules into a universal prohibition. (Jean Leclercq, The Love of Learning and the Desire for God)
The Catholic Church explicitly condemns superstition, including those attached to her penitential seasons. “Superstition is a deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes . . . when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary (No. 2111).”
Getting married, bathing, sewing, and having babies during Lent are all normal, natural activities. Believing that performing these activities during this time will somehow bring doom and destruction upon us is superstitious thinking.
Lent is not a time to worry about being cursed or unlucky. It’s a time of grace, repentance, healing and spiritual renewal!
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