Dear Maria:

Sorry for the long delay. I have had family emergencies this past week.

You are welcome. I praise God that our Q&As have been helpful to you.

Note for all readers: Normally we prefer that people do not ask questions on multiple topics as the subject line cannot reflect multiple topics. But, I will answer all your questions this time, but try to keep it to one topic at a time.

Concerning Ash Wednesday: Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent. Lent is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

The Ashes on the forehead remind us of our mortality in this life, that we came from dust and will return to dust. Ashes are a sign of repentance. In Old Testament time people would actually sprinkle ashes on their heads, sit or roll around in ashes, and put ashes on their food. All this was an outward sign of the interior state of repentance. (e.g., Daniel 9:3-6)

Concerning Fasting: The Church releases you from the obligation to fast if you have a medical reason. You have a medical reason and thus you do not need to fast. But, I would suggest that during times of fast that you do some other form of self-sacrifice (i.e., not watch TV, pray extra prayers, give special donation, or whatever would be some sort of sacrifice for you).

Concerning Old Testament Ritual Uncleanliness Laws: These laws and others like it were fulfilled by Christ and are not longer binding. Our cleanliness now is spiritual, not in ritual physical cleanliness. Our spiritual cleanliness is in Christ. We become spiritually clean when we attend to the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist.

Abstaining from Meat: During Lent we abstain from meat only on Fridays, not the entire time of Lent. Your abstaining from meat one day a week will not disrupt your diet

Concerning sinning against the 6th Commandment: The 6th Commandment concerns sexual sins. There are many different sexual sins. You need to specify the exact sin in Confession. Do not be embarrassed. Priests have heard it all. Sexual sins, especially, are, perhaps, the most confessed sins a priest hears. The priest will not judge you. He is there to offer forgiveness. Priests are taught to not remember Confessions. He will not likely remember your Confession anyway. But, in any event never, but never, avoid Confession. If you need to, go to another parish for Confession, even another town, then do so, but do not under any circumstances avoid Confession.

Concerning lying: Lying is part of the 9th Commandment to not bear false witness. Here is the Catechism on the subject of lying:

2482 "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving." The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray.

2486 Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.

As to the Indian culture about virginity, I have answered that question before. My previous answer was:

As for the culture in India, there are problematic practices in that culture. If you will be undergoing an arranged marriage, then follow your conscience on this matter as to whether or not to tell anyone about not being a virgin. I understand that this is a serious matter in some cultures. As such it may not be the best thing to be truthful on this matter. That is unfortunate, but if the culture is that way, then one must do that they must do. Thus, frankly, given the culture you are in and the practice of arranged marriage that you will undergo, i would advise not revealing this fact if you feel you must do that.

On the other hand, God will honor you for your truthfulness. He may send you a man where this will not be  problem. In any event, follow your conscience on this. At worse this is a venial sin.

As to lying to an employer: Sometimes we need to be creative when we tell the truth. The particulars is not something that every person needs to know. Thus, we can give a general answer that is still the truth, but does not reveal the particulars.

Using your example, you can tell your employer that you were late because some personal issues came up, or because you were not feeling well. When it is family issues, then say you were late due to some family issues that came up. There is no need to tell a lie.

A common example of this is when someone calls on the phone and one does not wish to talk to them. Typically, for example, the father will tell his wife or child to lie and say that he is not home. Such lies are not needed. Simply say that the dad is not available right now. That is the truth. You can be unavailable to anyone you please.

Such "white lies" are not necessary, but often requires some creative thinking to tell the truth while not revealing particulars.

You seem to be concerned about people judging you. That is pride. You need to work on that. Lying for fear of being judged is never permitted. Jesus and the Apostles always told the truth even in the face of being judged and persecuted.

Bottomline: I would advise telling the truth in a way that does not reveal the particulars to those who do not need to know those particulars. But, do not lie.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary