medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and cultureRosemary:The word "carnival" itself is about giving up carne (meat) for the next few weeks. During the fast, the Church asked her children to give up violence by not eating anything that needed to be killed (i.e. all animal products) and thus restore the harmony of mankind and the world; humans were to eat the fruits and vegetables that Adam ate in Paradise. (Permission was not given for humanity to eat meat until after the Flood, apparently.)The fast was part-and-parcel of the preparation of the catechumens (people preparing to convert) who were scheduled to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The fast was observed by the catechumens and their godparents and was quickly extended to all the faithful who were expected to support the catechumens in their preparation as well as renew their own dedication to the life expected of the baptized. (We have first century reference to the pre-baptismal fast.)Adult penitents were also admitted to the last stage of their re-integration into the life of the Church during the fast before Easter. (They had committed such public offenses against communal expectations that demanded public restoration of communion with the community.) In western Christian practice, they were dressed in sackcloth and ashes on the first day of the fast (which was a Wednesday in Western practice) and then readmitted to communion on Maundy Thursday.Hope this helps.Stephen
From: Jaye Procure <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]UK
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] origins of carnival, Lent, etc
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and cultureThe word Lent comes from the old English word for lengthen, as the days are getting longer at this part of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere). I suspect that is where the 'pagan origins' come from, although I have never come across that 'origin' in relation to Lent in my reading.The 40 days are significant because that signals something momentous. Interestingly, 40 days is also enough to form new habits, so there may be a psychological bent there as well.Carnival, or Mardi Gras is the day when food forbidden in Lent is used up...meat, eggs, butter, etc. The Orthodox and Eastern Rite churches still fast strictly during Lent. The western Church has modified significantly.Sundays are not included, officially, in the fast.I am working from my own memory at the moment so forgive early morning lapses. I am not teaching this year...Jaye******************************On Feb 21, 2017 8:48 AM, "Rosemary Hayes-Milligan and Andrew Milligan" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture****************************** ****************************** ********** To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] uk To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: medieval-religion-request@ jiscmail.ac.uk For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ medieval-religionI hope you will forgive an idle query. My son, who is studying in Europe, is planning to go to 'carnival' in Cologne. While telling us, he mentioned Catholic and pagan origins. I responded with a bit about Lent in the late medieval period but realised that I don't really know too much about actual origins.My knowledge goes as far as the rains of Noah's flood lasting for 40 days, the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years and Jesus fasting there for 40 days, replicated by the Church's 40 days of fasting and abstinence before Holy Week.Do we know when it all actually began in the Church; and is he right to suggest a pagan background? Or is the tradition of a feast before a fast wholly Judeo-Christian in origin?many thanks,Rosemary HayesDr RCE Hayes
18 Murrayfield Drive
Edinburgh
EH12 6EB****************************** ********** To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] uk To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: medieval-religion-request@ jiscmail.ac.uk For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion ************************************************************ ********** To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] uk To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: medieval-religion-request@ jiscmail.ac.uk For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion