Teens still keen for 40-day Lenten fast

YOUNG people seem to be keen to go without treats for the 40 days of Lent but few will be going to Church as often as their parents used to years ago.

Most teenagers said they still recognised the importance of Lent and of the need to go without and become more spiritual.

“I’m not really religious but believe you should give up something or do something that’s good for you,” said 16-year-old Andrea Murphy, of New Ross, Co Wexford.

“I will probably be giving up sweets or something like that but some (of my friends) don’t do anything at all.”

Her pal Keith Reville, aged 17, of Clongeen, Co Wexford, was also planning to abstain from confectionery.

He said upbringing was an important factor in whether youngsters observed Lent or not.

“It’s good for achieving a goal and staying the 40 days,” he added.

Student Helen O’Connell, from Douglas, Cork, was also planning to give up chocolate for the 40 days but said the challenge would be easy.

She said her class was divided 50:50 on the topic of going without during Lent.

“Society has changed: some people give up things but others just aren’t bothered,” she said.

Sales assistant Denise O’Donovan, 27, of Carrignavar, Co Cork, gave up smoking during Lent in 2004 and is still off tobacco.

“This year I will give up chocolate and maybe alcohol as well. I try every year and succeed sometimes.”

Pensioner Michael O’Riordan, of Cork, did not plan to give up anything this year but remembered the Lents of his youth when times were hard in the city.

“We had nothing to give up. We had nothing in school and I’m not joking,” said the 74-year-old.

He joked how he once gave up drink for Lent but the “trauma” of having to watch RTÉ television’s Late Late Show caused him to abandon his good intentions.

He said the tradition of Lenten observance was dying out among the young as society had changed and the power of the Church had waned.

Mother-of-two Linda Brennan, of Bandon, Cork, said Lent remained important though she was not giving up anything.

“It’s time for people to stop and think about what they are doing in life and where they are going,” she said.

Meanwhile, anti-smoking campaigners reckon 315,000 smokers will use Ash Wednesday as the perfect opportunity to try to give up smoking this year.

The percentage of smokers planning to give up was 34%, while other favourites included sugar (8%), tea and coffee (5%) as well as swearing (7%).