Lent Season

Lent is the season that lasts of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of meditation and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and pray into the desert for 40 days.

The last week of Lent is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Following the New Testament story, Jesus’ crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, and at the beginning of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday recalls the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To straight Catholics, in Mexico lent goes back to the way they were told by monks and nuns in XVI century: not only forget about eating red meat on Fridays but, no meat every day, give up to any celebration, meditate and pray.

To present day, many farmers don’t celebrate parties, don’t drink alcohol, no loud music, TV or any other way that make good people be disturbed; they should behave themselves and pray to Jesus, the way he did to save the humanity of committing sins.
Since mostly women will cook something different; more vegetables and flowers, seeds and fish preferred to chicken if possible, Lent can be your time to come to Mexico and try delicious home cooking like Chiles rellenos, romeritos, tlacoyos, huanzontles, tortitas de camaron, tacos dorados, pescado frito, pan de cazon, sopa de habas y nopales, lentejas y capirotada.

Have you ever try/hear about one of these delicacies? Next time in Mexico, ask for something different!

“LENT SEASON” by Alfredo de la Cruz.