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Newt Gingrich is giving up dessert. Rick Santorum is foregoing Italian food. Mitt Romney is not giving up anything. He is a Mormon, and Mormons don’t observe Lent.
Lent, most commonly observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians and Lutherans, is a time to fast, pray, give alms and seek repentance. And, it is a time to sacrifice—to give up a favorite habit, food or activity.
Are you giving up anything for Lent? Take our poll, and let us know in comments.
What is the Pope giving up? He hasn’t said but he is tweeting, giving Lenten lessons in 140 characters at @Pope2YouVatican.
Abraham Lincoln won last week’s poll with 40 percent of the vote for the most popular U.S. president. George Washington was chosen by 24 percent of poll respondents. Other presidents came in with 34 percent. Patch readers’ favorites include Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Marie Lazzara
7:01 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
I'm giving up coffee-based lattes for Lent. I try other alternatives such as tea or smoothies.
robert poznanski
7:29 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
I've given up trying to give up things, for lent! Its a sure thing, just as New Years resolutions are "blown", so to, will these! Better to contribute to your favorite charity, as in these times of trying finances, it is a sacrifice, to do so, and it makes it, so much more of a real,sacrifice! Bless everyone!!!
Kevin
8:23 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
I'm trying to give up swearing and pop. I'll need all the help I can get. :)
Ken Kuchar
9:13 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
No more Republican debates for me during Lent
J D McNugent
9:14 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
I am with Ken!!
Mike Bennion
10:39 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
Mormons fast once a month and donate the cost of the food (or much more in many cases) to care for the poor and needy. So although Mormons do not practice Lent, they do make a monthly sacrifice to remember God's gifts. As a Mormon in good standing this is something Mitt Romney would do and encourage others to do.
NancyC
10:56 am on Monday, February 27, 2012
Sins of omission and I am already behind!
Andrew Johnson
4:37 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
I've given up doing the daily Sudoku, but my attempts to get in a walk every lunchtime have so far failed fairly miserably.
Stan Walker
5:42 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
You mention Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mitt (not Milt) Romney, but say nothing about Barack Obama.
Jim Pokin
11:11 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thanks, Stan. Fixed the typo in Gov. Romney's name.
Kathy Catrambone
3:36 pm on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stan, Patch could not find a news reference to Pres. Obama giving up anything for Lent. Here is a statement he issued on Feb. 22: "Today, Michelle and I honor Ash Wednesday with Christians around the country and across the world. This is at once a solemn and joyous occasion, an opportunity to remember both the depths of sacrifice and the height of redemption. We join millions in entering the Lenten Season with truly thankful hearts, mindful of our faith and our obligations to one another."
Susan Smentek
8:37 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Not giving up but giving to others. Elmhurst Presbyterian Church is handing out "Grace Cups", a place to stash the money that you would spend on indulging yourself with something not readily available to the majority of the world's people. Such as fancy coffee drinks. My options are to a. not buy the drink and put the money in the cup or b. buy the drink and put an equal amount of money into the cup. At Easter, the money will be collected and donated to an organization that works to provide clean drinking water to people in places that need it.