Keeping the Fast

In Medieval times, Lent was a season of strict fasting. During Lent, no animal products of any types were to be consumed, except on Sundays. Eventually, fish were added to the menu, but meats, poultry and dairy were not allowed. There are many religious reasons for the fast, but, as with many religious observances, there were economic reasons as well.

Because the Christian church at that time was centered in the northern hemisphere, where they were just coming out of winter, the nature of early spring determined the menu. The hens were just starting to lay eggs after not being productive during winter. If you wanted to have more chickens next year, best to let them sit on a brood of chicks rather than consume the eggs. The sheep and cows were lambing and calving. The babies needed their mothers' milk, so the humans skipped on the milk and the butter and the cheese. Animals that are typically raised for meat are lean due to the limited rations of winter. Better to let them fatten on the spring grasses before the slaughtering.

Indeed, during the earliest Middle Ages, the fast limited those observing to one vegetarian meal a day. As winter stores were dwindling, this helped assure that, although there may be hunger, there would not be starvation. Imagine how good the first meal of fresh greens and peas must have tasted with the coming of spring!

I've never been bothered by the underlying practical reasons for the religious observance -I find it more meaningful because of it. The focus of the Lenten fast has shifted “giving up” to “giving” for most who observe, but the underlying purpose of sacrifice so that others can thrive remains.

I hope you are having a blessed and meaningful Lenten season!

Per local ordinance, I have chickens, but no rooster. No rooster = no chicks. The hens are laying prodigiously, so avoiding eggs is not part of our Lenten practice.