Joshua Bennett
Fasting is a common practice among Catholics, who traditionally abstain from food and drink during certain seasons and on specific days, such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The act of fasting is deeply rooted in Scripture and has been a part of the Catholic Church's practices for centuries. While fasting, Catholics are encouraged to stay busy and focus on prayer to deepen their reliance on God and strengthen their spiritual muscles. Fasting is also seen as a way to express humility and petition God, as well as to commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | On mandatory fasting days, Catholics may eat only one full meal and two smaller meals, known as "collations". |
| Food restrictions | Abstain from meat and meat by-products. |
| Drink restrictions | No restrictions on drinks, including alcohol. |
| Age restrictions | The law of fasting includes individuals from age 18 until the beginning of their 60th year. |
| Exemptions | The physically or mentally ill, including those with chronic illnesses, and pregnant or nursing women. |
| Purpose | To petition God, express humility, and physically purify oneself. |
| Alternatives | Non-dietary forms of abstinence, such as giving up text messaging, or substituting fasting with prayer and works of charity. |
| Timing | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting requirements
Fasting is a common practice among Catholics, who traditionally fast during the liturgical season of Lent to commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ. The practice of fasting is rooted in Scripture, with Jesus expecting his followers to fast, and it has been observed by Christians for centuries.
According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, fasting is required of Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and where possible, throughout Holy Saturday. The law of fasting applies to those between the ages of 18 and 60. On these days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals, known as "collations". Fasting only relates to solid food, so Catholics can still consume water and other beverages, including alcohol.
In addition to these days, Catholics must observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water or medicine for one hour before receiving the Eucharist. Every Friday during Lent is also a day of penance, and abstinence from meat is required. In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging.
The discipline of fasting is intended to strengthen one's spiritual "muscles" and practice physical discipline. It is a way to express humility, deny worldly distractions, and imitate the suffering of Jesus. Fasting also teaches Catholics to rely on God instead of earthly pleasures and to serve others.
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Reasons for fasting
Fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life. It is associated with abstention from food, but it can also take the form of giving up other goods like comforts and entertainment.
Command of God
God commanded fasting, and Jesus practiced it. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus abstained from food and water for 40 days and nights in the desert, and thus "reversed what happened in the Garden of Eden."
Example of Christ
Following the example of Jesus, Catholics are called to fast. "Our Lord fasted, we ought to imitate him in fasting," said St. Augustine.
Protection against demons
"The fast is the weapon of protection against demons," St. Basil the Great taught. "Our guardian angels more really stay with those who have cleansed our souls through fasting."
Humility and clarity of mind
Fasting reminds us of our frailty and helps us be more humble, which unlocks our experience of God. "Without humility, prayer and then our experience of God really can’t be unlocked," Monsignor Pope noted.
Petitioning God
Fasting is used in the Bible as a way of petitioning God. "When you fast, your voice is heard on high," said Is. 58:3b-4.
Health benefits
Fasting may have beneficial physical effects, such as removing toxins from the body. However, this cannot be the primary reason for the Christian practice of fasting.
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History of fasting in the Catholic Church
The practice of fasting in the Catholic Church has a long history, dating back to biblical times with figures such as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus himself practising fasting. In early Christianity, fasting was a common way to express repentance and seek closeness to God. The Church's tradition of sacrificing something as an act of penance is rooted in St. Paul's call for disciplining and subduing one's body for the greater good.
Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has developed various fasting and abstinence practices during liturgical seasons, such as Lent and Advent. In the Middle Ages, the number of fast days during the liturgical year increased, sometimes including up to 70 days. Sundays and solemnities have traditionally never been days of fasting.
Eastern Catholics 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 restricting meat, dairy, and oil, while other days have no restrictions.
In the 20th century, Church law prescribed fasting throughout Lent, with abstinence on Fridays and Saturdays. However, some countries, like the United States, had dispensations from Saturday abstinence. The concept of "partial abstinence" allowed meat only once during the day at the main meal.
In 1966, Pope Paul VI significantly amended the laws of fasting through his apostolic constitution Paenitemini, allowing for adjustments based on local economic situations and giving authority to national conferences of bishops. According to Canon Law, fasting and abstinence are penitential practices that all Catholics are obliged to perform on certain days of the year to "deny themselves."
Today, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, with Fridays during Lent also being obligatory days of abstinence. The norms on fasting are obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from ages 18 to 59, while abstinence norms apply from age 14.
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Foods to avoid
Catholics are required to fast and abstain from certain foods on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and, where possible, throughout Holy Saturday. Additionally, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
On the days of mandatory fasting, Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day and may have two smaller meals, known as "collations". These smaller meals should not add up to the amount of a second full meal, and no solid food should be consumed between meals. However, there are no restrictions on the amount of water or other beverages, including alcoholic drinks, that can be consumed.
During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to abstain from meat, particularly the flesh of warm-blooded animals. Fish, lobster, and other shellfish are allowed on days of abstinence, and many Catholic parishes in the United States sponsor fish fries during this period. However, indulging in lavish seafood buffets is discouraged as it misses the point of penance and abstinence.
Some Catholics may choose to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging or other forms of modern communication. Additionally, members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are obliged to follow the discipline of their own particular church, which may include fasting from meat, dairy products, eggs, and oil during specific periods.
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Exemptions
The Latin Catholic Church specifies that those excused from fasting outside the age limits include individuals with physical or mental illnesses, such as diabetes, and pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
Historically, the requirements for fasting and abstinence in Catholic countries have been relaxed. For example, on the eve of Vatican II, fasting was often reduced to just four days of the year: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, the vigil of Christmas or the day before, and the vigil of the Immaculate Conception or Assumption.
In addition to specific days of fasting, Catholics must also observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water or medicine for one hour before receiving the Eucharist. However, this fast only relates to solid food, and there are no restrictions on beverages, including alcoholic drinks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fasting is a requirement for Catholics. However, the number of days of fasting has reduced over the years. In the 20th century, Catholics were required to fast on up to 70 days of the year. Today, fasting is required on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and where possible, throughout Holy Saturday.
On fasting days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals, known as "collations". The law of fasting applies to solid foods only and does not restrict the consumption of beverages.
Catholics fast to strengthen their spiritual "muscles" and practice physical discipline. Fasting is seen as a way to express humility and reliance on God rather than earthly desires. It is also a way to commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ.
Fridays are considered days of penance, and Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. However, this does not mean they are obliged to eat fish.
Yes, fasting and abstinence may be substituted with prayer and works of charity. For example, in 2009, Archbishop of Modena, Monsignor Benito Cocchi, urged young Catholics to give up text messaging for Lent instead of fasting.
