Rachel Evans
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory for those aged between 18 and 59. However, the laws of abstinence apply to Latin Church Catholics from the age of 14, and there is no upper age limit. While fasting requirements are relaxed for those over 60, individuals over 65 are still expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age requirement for fasting | According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. |
| Age requirement for abstinence | According to canon law, abstinence is required from age 14 onwards. |
| Days of abstinence | All Fridays of the year, except when a Solemnity falls on a Friday. |
| Days of fasting and abstinence | Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. |
| Exemptions | The sick, those with physically demanding jobs, people travelling, and students. |
| Substitutions | Prayer and charitable acts may be substituted for fasting and abstinence. |
| Regional variations | The Bishops' Conferences in some countries have obtained substitutions for abstinence from meat on Fridays, except Good Friday. |
| Eastern Catholic Churches | Members are obliged to follow the discipline of their own particular church. |
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What You'll Learn
Exemptions from abstinence
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory from age 18 to 59. Those above the age of 59 are exempt from fasting and abstinence, but they may still choose to participate if their health permits. The Code of Canon Law states that even those exempt from fasting and abstinence "are taught the true meaning of penance".
Members of the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches are obliged to follow their own particular church's discipline. While some Eastern Catholics try to follow the stricter rules of their Orthodox counterparts, their actual canonical obligations are usually much more lenient. Eastern Christians view fasting as part of repentance and supporting a spiritual change of heart. They observe two major times of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity.
In some countries, the Bishops' Conferences have obtained substitutions for abstinence from meat on Fridays, except Good Friday. In the United States, abstinence was not required on Saturday, and the other weekdays were considered days of "fasting without abstinence". Similarly, in countries of the former Spanish empire, there were extensive dispensations from the rules based on "Crusader privileges". In some European colonies, the obligation to fast and abstain differed by race, with indigenous persons often having more lenient rules.
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Fasting rules
Fasting and abstinence are important practices in the Catholic Church. While the specifics may vary depending on the region and the individual's health, there are some general rules that Catholics are expected to follow.
According to canon law, Latin Church Catholics aged 14 and above are required to observe the laws of abstinence. This includes abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year, except when a Solemnity falls on a Friday. However, the Bishops' Conferences in some countries have obtained permission to substitute abstinence from meat on Fridays with pious or charitable acts, except on Good Friday.
During the season of Lent, which is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on all Fridays. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics. On these days, individuals are permitted to eat one full meal, with the option of two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
The rules of fasting and abstinence for members of the Eastern Catholic Churches may differ, as they are obliged to follow the discipline of their particular church. While some Eastern Catholics may try to adhere to stricter Orthodox rules, their actual canonical obligations are often more lenient. Eastern Christians observe two major fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. During these periods, specific practices may vary, with some days involving abstinence from meat, dairy, and oil, while other days have no restrictions.
It is important to note that individuals over the age of 65 or outside the specified age limits are not bound by the laws of fasting and abstinence. However, they are still encouraged to understand the true meaning of penance. Additionally, individuals with health issues, physically demanding jobs, or those who are travelling or studying are typically exempt from the strict requirements of fasting and abstinence.
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Abstinence rules
Abstinence and fasting are important practices in the Catholic Church, with rules and traditions that Catholics are expected to follow. While the specifics may vary depending on the region and the individual's age, there are some general guidelines for abstinence that Catholics adhere to.
According to canon law, Latin Church Catholics aged 14 and above are required to observe abstinence laws. This means that on Fridays throughout the year, except when a Solemnity falls on a Friday, Catholics must abstain from eating meat. This practice is observed during Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. During Lent, Catholics are called to practice self-discipline and fast, as well as abstain from luxuries and perform charitable acts.
The rules for abstinence can vary among different Catholic churches. For instance, members of the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches follow the discipline of their specific church. While some Eastern Catholics try to adhere to stricter Orthodox rules, their actual canonical obligations are often more lenient. They observe two major fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. During these periods, they may avoid meat, dairy, and oil on certain days, while other days have no restrictions.
Historically, the regulations on abstinence applied to children as young as seven years old, but there were numerous exceptions. People who were sick, had physically demanding jobs, were travelling, or were students were often exempt from fasting and abstinence. Additionally, in some European colonies, the rules differed by race, with indigenous people sometimes having more lenient requirements compared to European colonists.
While the specifics of abstinence practices may vary, the underlying principle is that Catholics are encouraged to practice self-discipline, reflect on their faith, and perform charitable acts during penitential times, such as Lent.
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Lenten abstinence
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory for those aged 18 to 59. Fasting allows for one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. The rule of abstinence from meat applies to Catholics aged 14 and above. For those outside these age limits, Canon Law states that "pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence are taught the true meaning of penance."
In addition to abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, Catholics are called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways. The giving of alms is also encouraged as a way to share God's gifts, whether through the distribution of money or the sharing of time and talents. During this time, the baptized are invited to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare for baptism through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
It is important to note that members of the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches observe the discipline of their own particular church. While some Eastern Catholics strive to follow the stricter rules of their Orthodox counterparts, their actual canonical obligations are often more lenient. Eastern Christians view fasting as part of repentance and spiritual transformation, with two major fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity.
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Eastern Catholic Churches
The Catholic Church is made up of 24 churches—one Latin (Roman), which comprises about 98% of all Catholics globally, and 23 "Eastern" or "Oriental" churches. All of these churches recognise the pope's authority, but each has its own liturgy, devotions, traditions, and hierarchy under a patriarch or archbishop. The term "Eastern" often refers to churches that originated from the liturgy and traditions of the ancient church of Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire.
The Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous particular churches sui iuris, which means they are independent in their governance but maintain full and equal mutual sacramental exchange with members of the Latin Church. They are distinct from the Latin Church in that they have their own hierarchies, liturgies, and apostolic lineages. They may resemble Eastern Orthodox churches, but they recognise the pope in Rome as their leader. The Second Vatican Council's decree on the Eastern Catholic churches, Orientalium Ecclesiarum, asserts that the variety represented by the Eastern churches does not harm the church's unity but rather demonstrates it. All of the churches are of equal dignity to each other and to the Western church, and they are all encouraged to preserve and develop their liturgy and "way of life".
The Eastern Catholic Churches were historically part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox churches, or the Church of the East. They underwent various schisms throughout history, and many trace their origins back to the apostles or apostolic times. The five historic liturgical traditions of Eastern Christianity—the Alexandrian Rite, the Armenian Rite, the Byzantine Rite, the East Syriac Rite, and the West Syriac Rite—are all represented within Eastern Catholic liturgy.
The relationship between the Eastern and Latin churches is governed by provisions within the 1983 Latin canon law and the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Historically, there was pressure for the Eastern Catholic Churches to conform to the norms of Western Christianity, practiced by the majority Latin Church, which led to some encroachment on Eastern Catholic traditions. The 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches was the first codified body of canon law governing the Eastern Catholic Churches collectively, and each church also has its own internal canons and laws.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the norms of fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. However, those over 65 are automatically excused from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Abstinence for Catholics means abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.
Yes, Catholics are required to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year unless the Friday coincides with a holy day of obligation.
Yes, large classes of people are considered exempt from fasting and abstinence, including the sick, those with physically demanding jobs, those travelling, and students.
The contemporary legislation is rooted in the 1966 Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI, Paenitemini. He recommended that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation and that all Catholics voluntarily fast and abstain.
