Lent started out as a term referencing spring, but later was translated to mean “40 days,” according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. A historian and humorist friend of mine from Point Clear recently sent me some interesting information on Lent, its origins, fasting and why meat is not allowed.

Most of this column does not contain original information from me, but that which I gathered from several of the Web sites to which he sent me. I received a few e-mails after my Catholic blurbs in the last issue and thought this subject would be of interest. Just skip to Boozie if it is not.

The first three centuries A.D. indicate that while at first Christians were required to fast for 40 days, many felt it was only for one or two days indicating no set early tradition from the Church’s founding. Historical documents state that “some people fasted for forty days” (Catholic Encyclopedia).

The eventual move to 40 days then happened over much time. Before too long it had shifted to the Friday and Saturday before Easter and referenced a “dry fast,” meaning nothing was consumed. Also in the early Church, the resurrection was celebrated every week rather than once a year, with a Friday fast commemorating the death of Christ (Catholic Encyclopedia). An annual Easter naturally developed out of the traditions established in Eastern and other Western Churches that included a severe fast.

As the Catholic Encyclopedia further states “(I)n determining this period of forty days the example of Moses, Elias, and Christ must have exercised a predominant influence, but it is also possible that the fact was borne in mind that Christ lay forty hours in the tomb. Not everyone yet fasted at this point for an entire forty days.

So just what did people abstain from when they fasted? Socrates wrote that “(S)ome abstain from every sort of creature that has life, while others of all the living creatures eat of fish only. Others eat birds as well as fish, because, according to the Mosaic account of the Creation, they too sprang from the water; others abstain from fruit covered by a hard shell and from eggs. Some eat dry bread only, others not even that; others again when they have fasted to the ninth hour (three o’clock) partake of various kinds of food”. But many took a strict approach, only eating one or two meals each week. But the typical was to take one meal in the evening, with meat and wine not allowed. Then, it morphed into not only anything having life, but the product of animals, meaning milk, cheese and eggs and it became the law of the Church. But, much like the indulgences of the early Church (people paying off the Church to have their sins removed); exceptions to this were made for those that contributed. Easter eggs are thought to be the result of this rule as well.

In modern times, the fasting and no meat requirement eventually made its way to every Friday for Catholics, then down now only to Lenten Fridays and Holy Thursday. Products from animals were dropped.

All of this was brought to my attention from the dispensation made of Catholics for St. Patrick’s Day so everyone could eat corned beef. Bishops do not have to do this, it is their choice. But my friend pointed out that in South America in the 17th century a certain “meat” has been allowed for hundreds of years – that of a rodent called the capybaras. The capybaras are a traditional food in South America and typically weigh somewhere near 100 pounds. Maybe you could eat a rat on Friday if you wanted?

Don’t be too surprised, as this Wall Street Journal my friend forwarded to me said that over the years, Lenten exceptions have been made for beavers (no nasty comments here), geese, puffins and marine animals “and it is rumored that muskrats are still an approved dish.” I guess all that road kill the Darlings were all eating was OK! But I think they were evangelicals anyway.

Doughboy’s in Midtown!

Look in the next issue for some detailed information about the upcoming opening of another Doughboy’s location in Midtown, at the corner of Old Shell and Upham Street. While the Mellow Mushroom folks decided not to give it a go, Robert Vasher is full speed ahead in creating a 4,000-square-foot Italian restaurant to feature his excellent pizzas and will even be serving gelato. This will be a much-needed and welcome addition to MiMo.

Kinnon Phillips is Lagniappe cuisine editor. Contact him at kphillips@lagniappemobile.com.

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