Et Cum Spiritu Tuo!

Note: This was posted a few weeks ago on another blogging platform.

As all good (and bad) Catholic girls know, Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season.

I’ll say this right off the bat, I’m not very religious. I’m the epitome of the two-day Catholic. Although, I suppose with Ash Wednesday, that would make three. Anyway, for some reason, I’ve always liked Lent. Even from a young age (even during the times my mom got pissed at the church and dragged me to Protestant congregations), I always tried to observe it. I gave up the usual things as a child, candy, soda, ect.

Last year was the first test of observing Lent as an adult. I gave up alcohol. Now, many feel that Lent is to give up something you depend on, well, I like to think it’s giving up something you have an affinity for, but can live without. That being said, I didn’t give it up because it was something of dependence, but because I’m that girl who has a Facebook profile picture holding a glass of wine (or beer, or vodka cranberry). Okay, so I’m a little of a party girl.

Not only did Lent fall on Spring Break last year (essentially known as “Binge Drinking on the Beach Week for the ages of 18-23″), but also St. Patrick’s Day. As an Irish-Catholic, I enjoy St. Patrick’s more than the average revelers. But whatever, I successfully remained dry for those forty days and forty nights and resigned myself to being my friends chauffeur as I dragged their drunk asses around town. It was a Lent that my liver thanked me. Although, I’m still waiting for my handwritten note from Pope Benedict XVI commending me for being the best Irish-Catholic ever for watching my friends get shitfaced off of Jameson while I just sat and watched.

Wednesday, it appears that I’ll be attending Mass at St. Ignatius Church to get my annual ash cross. However, it also appears that I still cannot think of anything to give up. My friends (none who are particularly religious) are pressuring me to give up the one omnipresent thing in my life, Diet Coke. Well, that’s not happening. Sorry, Jesus. My best friend who lives in San Diego, taking advantage of the lack of romance in my life, suggested, “How about you give up your dignity and fuck everybody?”

At this point, it doesn’t seem like the worst idea.