Michael Brooks
While fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays was a common practice in the Catholic Church, it is no longer obligatory. The tradition of fasting on these days is linked to the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, with Wednesday being the day of Judas' betrayal and Friday being the day of the crucifixion. In the early Church, these days were chosen to counteract sinful behavior prevalent among pagans. Over time, fasting requirements in Catholic countries have been relaxed, with Pope Paul VI's apostolic letter Paenitemini in 1966 recommending that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation and allowing for substitution with prayer and charity. Today, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, with Fridays during Lent also being days of abstinence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days of fasting and abstinence | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent |
| Age requirements for fasting | 18-59 years old |
| Age requirements for abstinence | 14 years old and older |
| Number of meals allowed during fasting | One full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal |
| Reason for Wednesday fasting | To commemorate the betrayal of Jesus by Judas on a Wednesday |
| Reason for Friday fasting | To commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus on a Friday |
| Alternative to fasting | Prayer, works of charity, or other forms of penance |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is not obligatory for Catholics
While fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays was a tradition in the Catholic Church, it is no longer obligatory. This tradition was based on the belief that Jesus was betrayed on a Wednesday and crucified on a Friday. The early Church chose these days to fast as they were dedicated by pagans to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, and Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery.
Over time, fasting requirements in Catholic countries have been relaxed, with Pope Paul VI's 1966 Apostolic Constitution recommending that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation. The current practice is regulated by Canons 1250-1253 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which states that fasting is obligatory for Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and where possible, throughout Holy Saturday. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence, where Catholics aged 14 and older do not eat meat.
While fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is not required, some Catholics may choose to do so as a private devotional practice. Ultimately, the decision to fast on these days is a personal one, and individuals should not feel compelled to do so.
It is important to note that the norms for fasting may vary depending on the local Episcopal Conferences, which have the authority to determine the specific requirements for their territories.
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Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory fasting days
While it was once traditional for Catholics to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, this is no longer a requirement. However, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain obligatory fasting days.
The History of Fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
In the early Church, Wednesdays and Fridays were chosen as days of fasting to counteract sinful behaviour that was prevalent among pagans on those days. Wednesday was dedicated by pagans to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, and Friday to Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. Fasting on these days was a way to atone for the sins of injustice and impurity and to keep Christians from indulging in them.
The primary reason for Wednesday becoming a fasting day was to commemorate Judas' betrayal of Jesus, which tradition holds occurred on a Wednesday. This day is sometimes referred to as "Spy Wednesday" or "Black Wednesday". Friday, on the other hand, is known as "Good Friday" and marks the day of Jesus' crucifixion.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Obligatory Fasting Days
Despite the relaxation of fasting requirements on Wednesdays and Fridays, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain obligatory fasting days for Catholics. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, both abstinence and fasting are required on these days for Catholics who are not exempted for reasons such as illness or advanced age.
On obligatory fasting days, Catholics may eat one full meal during the day and two smaller meals, known as "collations". Those of age 14 and older must abstain from consuming meat on these days, while those between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast unless exempt for medical reasons.
In addition to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Fridays during Lent are also obligatory days of abstinence, with many Catholics choosing to eat fish instead of meat on these days.
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Fasting is done to commemorate the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus
Fasting is a practice that has long been associated with the Catholic Church, with specific days of the week holding significant meaning for adherents. While fasting is not limited to Wednesdays and Fridays, these two days have traditionally been associated with commemorating the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In the Catholic tradition, Wednesdays and Fridays were chosen as days of fasting to counteract sinful behaviour associated with pagan practices on those days. Specifically, Wednesday was dedicated by pagans to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, while Friday was consecrated to Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. Thus, fasting on these days served as a form of atonement for sins and a way to avoid indulging in such behaviours.
However, the primary reason for fasting on Wednesdays is rooted in the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, which according to tradition, took place on a Wednesday. This day, often referred to as "Spy Wednesday" or "Holy Wednesday," holds particular significance in the Catholic Church as it directly links to Jesus' Passion and recalls the sorrowful events leading up to his crucifixion. By fasting on this day, Catholics atone for the betrayal Jesus endured and reflect on their own choices that may betray Jesus.
Fridays, on the other hand, hold significance as the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Good Friday, in particular, is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, as it commemorates the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. This day is often extended until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, honouring the paschal fast and preparing for the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection.
While the tradition of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays may have evolved over time, with the Church no longer requiring it, many Catholics continue these devotional practices as a way to connect with their faith and honour the memory of Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion.
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Catholics over 14 abstain from meat on obligatory fasting days
In the Catholic Church, fasting is obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is limited to one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. This means that Catholics over 14 must abstain from eating meat on obligatory fasting days, which include Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is well-known, but Catholics are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. The practice of giving alms is one way to share God's gifts, as St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs."
The choice of Wednesdays and Fridays as fasting days in the early Church was influenced by the prevalent sinful behavior of pagans on those days. Wednesday was dedicated to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, while Friday was consecrated to Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. Fasting on these days served as a form of atonement for sins of injustice and impurity and helped Christians avoid indulging in such sins.
While Wednesday is no longer a year-round fasting day, it holds a direct link to Jesus' Passion and recalls sorrowful events in His life, such as Judas' betrayal. The Wednesday fast serves as a reminder of how often we betray Jesus through our daily choices.
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Fasting rules have been relaxed over the years
Fasting rules have indeed been relaxed over the years. While fasting and abstinence are still observed by Catholics at various times each year, the rules are not as strict as they once were.
In the early Church, Wednesdays and Fridays were appointed as days of fasting. The choice of these days was linked to the pagan traditions of the time. Wednesday was dedicated to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, and Friday to Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. Fasting on these days was intended to atone for the sins of injustice and impurity that were prevalent among pagans.
Over time, the primary reason for Wednesday fasting became linked to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, which according to tradition, took place on a Wednesday. Wednesday fasting thus became a way to atone for this betrayal and to reflect on how Christians betray Jesus through their daily actions.
However, Wednesday is no longer a mandatory fasting day throughout the calendar year. The only remaining obligatory day of fasting and abstinence on a Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten fast.
Friday abstinence is still the law of the Church, although Saturday abstinence was also required until the mid-1800s. Members of the Latin Catholic Church are obliged to observe fasting norms from the ages of 18 to 59. During fasting, they are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Abstinence from meat is binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from the age of 14 onwards.
The rules of fasting and abstinence have also varied across different regions and cultures. For example, in some European colonies, indigenous persons had more lenient rules than European colonists. In certain parts of the world, exceptions have been made for specific types of meat, such as capybara in Venezuela, beaver in Quebec, and muskrat in Michigan.
Overall, while fasting and abstinence remain important practices in Catholicism, the rules have become more relaxed over time, allowing for more flexibility and cultural variation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is not obligatory for Catholics. However, it is still traditional in some Catholic communities to fast on these days, especially during Advent.
There are several reasons why these days were chosen. Firstly, according to A Pulpit Commentary on Catholic Teaching, Wednesdays and Fridays were dedicated by pagans to the worship of Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, and Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. Therefore, fasting on these days was a way to atone for the sins of injustice and impurity. Secondly, it is believed that Jesus was betrayed on a Wednesday and crucified on a Friday, so fasting on these days is a way to commemorate these events.
Yes, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory fasting days for Catholics. Additionally, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence, where Catholics over the age of 14 traditionally abstain from eating meat.
When fasting, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not together equal a full meal.
Yes, those who are physically or mentally ill, including individuals with chronic illnesses, and pregnant or nursing women are exempt from fasting. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
