The Chaldean Fast of Ba’utha
(This is not a Lenten practice, but it is a way people do penance.)
Chaldeans across the world have taken part of “Ba’utha,” which means “Supplication” for a request or need. It takes place Monday through Wednesday, three weeks before Lent begins. This year, we celebrated it January 22nd - 24th. It has its roots from the book of Jonah, when Jonah warned Nineveh to repent of their sins, otherwise God’s wrath would fall upon them. They obeyed: they abstained from food and from their sins, and as a result, God spared them. The reason Chaldeans today take part in this fast is because there was a plague in the Middle East and Mesopotamia around the year 550 that lasted for several years. The Chaldean bishops (of what is now present day northern Iraq) agreed to have the Chaldeans perform this fast. They abstained from meat, milk, and eggs, and did not eat anything at all until noon, for three days. Then, God answered their prayers and the epidemic passed! From then on, every year Chaldeans remember God’s mercy and take part in Ba’utha.
Joe Dallo
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What We Did During Lent
We invite you to share in the bulletin special Lent practices of your family now or in the past. We are parishioners of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. We can be inspired by each other.
Limit is about 200 words.
Give or email to Fr. Jeremy your Lenten stories. frjeremyh@gmail.com
Fr. Jeremy