Sarah Mitchell
Fasting is a common practice in many religions, including Catholicism. The Catholic Church requires its adherents to observe fasting and abstinence during certain periods, such as Lent, Ember Days, and Ash Wednesday. While the specifics of fasting practices may vary, the traditional definition of fasting in Catholicism entails limiting oneself to one full meal and two smaller meals, known as collations, throughout the day. Some Catholics choose to begin their fast on Thursday at sundown or after dinner to align with the passion of Christ, while others may opt for a different timeframe. The practice of fasting is seen as a way to slow down, cultivate humility, and deepen one's connection with God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting days | Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays of Ember week; Fridays throughout the year; Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday |
| Dietary restrictions | Only one full meal and two smaller meals; no meat; abstention from animal-derived products except gelatin, butter, cheese, and eggs |
| Age requirements | Canon law requires observance of abstinence from age 14 and fasting from majority until the beginning of the sixtieth year |
| Exceptions | The sick, those with physically demanding jobs, travelers, and students |
| Non-dietary forms of abstinence | Giving up text messaging, the internet, or phone use |
| Timing of fast | From sundown to sundown; from midnight to midnight; from after dinner on Thursday to sundown on Friday |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday
- On fasting days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals
- The type of fast depends on the day of the week
- The Catholic Church encourages non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent
- The Lenten season ends after the Easter Vigil Mass or Sunrise service
Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday
According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, Catholics who are not exempted for various reasons are required to abstain and fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and, where possible, throughout Holy Saturday. The law of fasting binds those between the ages of 18 and 59. At the age of 60, a person is automatically excused from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but they may still participate in the fast if they choose to and their health permits. According to canon 1252 of the Code of Canon Law, all Latin Church Catholics are required to observe the laws of abstinence starting at the age of 14.
On the days of mandatory fasting, Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day, along with two smaller meals, known as "collations". Church requirements on fasting only relate to solid food, not drinks, so Catholics are not restricted in the amount of water or other beverages they can consume. In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging. In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Catholics must also observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water or medicine into the body for one hour before receiving the Eucharist.
Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, Catholics are called to seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, serve by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting. They are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent but to undergo a true inner conversion of heart as they seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully.
While Good Friday and Ash Wednesday are the only two days of full fasting and abstinence required, all of Lent should be a time of spiritual formation and preparation for Easter. Catholics are strongly recommended to participate in daily Mass and observe self-imposed fasting during the rest of Lent.
When fasting on Fridays, some Catholics begin their fast at sundown or after dinner on Thursday. This conforms their penance to the passion of Christ, as starting the fast on Thursday after dinner conforms oneself to the Agony in the Garden.
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On fasting days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals
The Catholic Church has specific rules and traditions regarding fasting and abstinence, which vary depending on the day and the type of observance. On fasting days, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals, known as "collations". These two smaller meals, when combined, should not equal the quantity of a typical meal.
Fasting and abstinence are observed during Lent, and on specific days such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Ember Days. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, fasting is required, and Catholics are allowed one full meal and two smaller meals. They must also abstain from eating meat on these days, as well as on Fridays during Lent. The Latin Catholic Church requires members aged 18 to 59 to observe fasting norms on these days.
Abstinence from meat is also observed on Fridays throughout the year, including Ember Fridays in September and Advent. The norms concerning abstinence from meat apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from the age of 14. In addition, there is the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water or medicine for one hour before receiving the Eucharist.
The practice of fasting and abstinence has evolved over time, with some Catholic countries relaxing the requirements. While Sundays during Lent are not prescribed days of fasting, many Catholics choose to give something up during this period, such as text messaging or meat. The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent has led to the custom of fish fries in Catholic parishes and restaurants adding seafood items to their menus.
The timing of fasting periods is also a topic of discussion. Some Catholics start their Friday fasts at sundown or after dinner on Thursday, symbolising the "last supper" and conforming to the Agony in the Garden. Others debate whether fasting periods are from midnight to midnight or from when one goes to bed to when one wakes up. For penances that are voluntarily taken on, it is generally agreed that fasting from waking up until bedtime makes more sense, especially when refraining from phone or internet use.
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The type of fast depends on the day of the week
The type of fast can indeed depend on the day of the week for Catholics. For instance, Ember Days occur four times a year, and during these days, Catholics observe a fast and abstinence on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. However, the fast is only partial on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and on Fridays, Catholics abstain from eating meat.
On Fridays, some Catholics choose to begin their fast from the previous day at sundown or after dinner, in order to conform to the passion of Christ. This means that the fast ends the next day at sundown.
During Lent, Fridays are obligatory days of abstinence, and Catholics are encouraged to give up meat on these days. Some may also choose to give up other things, such as sweets, coffee, or the internet.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also obligatory fasting days for Catholics, and those aged between 18 and 59 (or 14 to 59, according to some sources) are expected to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal.
The type of fast can vary depending on the day and the specific practices of the individual or community.
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The Catholic Church encourages non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of fasting and abstinence during Lent and on other significant days throughout the year. While the rules and regulations have evolved over time, fasting and abstinence remain important practices for many Catholics.
Fasting generally refers to the quantity of food consumed, while abstinence refers to the type of food consumed. During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to fast and abstain from certain foods as a form of penance and to honour the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
In addition to dietary restrictions, the Catholic Church has also encouraged non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent in some Western countries. For example, in 2009, Monsignor Benito Cocchi, Archbishop of Modena, urged young Catholics to give up text messaging during Lent. This non-dietary form of abstinence is a modern interpretation of Lenten sacrifice, demonstrating that abstinence can extend beyond food-related practices.
Another example of non-dietary abstinence is the practice of giving up social media or internet usage for Lent. This practice can be especially relevant for those who spend a significant amount of time online, as it encourages a break from digital distractions and a focus on spiritual growth and reflection.
Catholics may also choose to engage in charitable acts during Lent as a form of non-dietary abstinence. For instance, the CRS Rice Bowl initiative encourages Catholics to give up meals and donate the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services, helping those who do not have enough to eat. This practice combines abstinence with charitable giving, reflecting the spirit of sacrifice and compassion during Lent.
In conclusion, while dietary restrictions are a traditional aspect of Lent, the Catholic Church has also encouraged non-dietary forms of abstinence. By giving up modern conveniences or engaging in charitable acts, Catholics can deepen their spiritual practice and find meaningful ways to observe Lent beyond dietary restrictions.
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The Lenten season ends after the Easter Vigil Mass or Sunrise service
For Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, United Protestants, and Lent-observing Methodists and Reformed Christians, the Lenten season ends after the Easter Vigil Mass or Sunrise service. The Easter Vigil, also known as the Paschal Vigil, is a liturgy held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of Jesus's resurrection. It is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day, commonly in the evening or at midnight. It is the most important liturgy of public worship and Mass of the liturgical year.
The Paschal Vigil is the Great Liturgy in which the whole Paschal Triduum culminates. The vigil begins outside the church, where an Easter fire is kindled, and the Paschal candle is blessed and lit. This candle, which represents the "Light of Christ", is carried by a deacon through the church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant the acclamation 'Light of Christ' (Lumen Christi). As the candle proceeds, the small candles held by those present are gradually lit from the Paschal candle, spreading the "Light of Christ" and reducing the darkness. The Paschal Vigil includes up to nine readings, seven of which are from the Old Testament, one from St. Paul (Romans 6), and the final reading is the Easter Gospel.
The Lenten fast is broken after the Paschal Vigil, with the priest blessing cheese, eggs, flesh meats, and other items that the faithful have abstained from during the Lenten season. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated, and at the end of the liturgy, the Artos, a large loaf of leavened bread representing the Resurrected Christ, is blessed and placed next to the Icon of the Resurrection. Baskets of food for the feast are blessed with holy water, and the liturgy typically finishes between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.
In the Moravian Church, the sunrise service starts before dawn on Easter Sunday. Congregations of the Reformed and Methodist traditions may also observe the Easter Vigil or hold a sunrise service.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and, where possible, throughout Holy Saturday. On these days, Catholics may eat only one full meal and two smaller meals, known as "collations". The law of fasting binds those from the age of majority until the beginning of the sixtieth year.
The timing of fasting is a source of confusion among Catholics. Some sources suggest fasting from midnight to midnight, while others suggest starting at sundown or after dinner on the previous day. It is generally agreed that the fast should last for 24 hours.
Catholics are required to abstain from meat on Fridays unless it coincides with a holy day of obligation. In addition, Catholics are encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence, such as giving up text messaging or the internet.
