Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church observes fasting and abstinence at various times each year, with the disciplines rooted in the 1966 Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI, Paenitemini. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority until the beginning of their sixtieth year, with fasting obligatory for those aged 18 to 59. Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with abstinence from meat observed on all Fridays during Lent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age group required to fast | 18-59 |
| Number of full meals permitted | 1 |
| Number of smaller meals permitted | 2 |
| Total number of meals permitted | 3 |
| Age group required to abstain from meat | 14 and above |
| Days Catholics are required to fast | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday |
| Days Catholics are required to abstain from meat | Fridays during Lent |
| Liquids Catholics are allowed to consume during fasting | Tea, coffee, soda |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting rules for Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Catholics observing the fast are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Those aged 18-59 and in reasonable health are required to fast on Ash Wednesday, with the fast being obligatory from age 14 in some churches.
On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are also expected to abstain from meat. The practice of abstinence from meat is binding on Catholics aged 14 and upwards. Catholics may choose to eat fish instead of meat. The practice of abstinence from meat extends to all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday.
The period of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a time of spiritual formation and preparation for Easter. It is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. During Lent, Catholics are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptised. It is a time to seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, to serve by giving alms, and to practice self-control through fasting.
In addition to fasting and abstinence, Catholics can enhance their Lenten practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need.
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Fasting rules for Good Friday
Fasting and abstinence are important practices for Catholics, especially during the Lenten season. This period of penance and self-discipline is marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as Catholics prepare to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.
Good Friday, which falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, is one of two days in the year when Catholics are obligated to fast and abstain from meat. The other obligatory day is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
On Good Friday, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast, which means they can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not together equal a full meal. This practice of reducing food intake is meant to help Catholics master their cravings and focus on prayer instead.
In addition to fasting, Good Friday is also a day of abstinence, which means Catholics should refrain from eating meat. This rule applies to Catholics aged 14 and above. Abstinence is seen as an act of penance, purifying the soul and elevating the mind.
The fast on Good Friday is ideally continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, as the "paschal fast" to honour the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. This extended fast further prepares Catholics to celebrate his Resurrection more fully.
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Exemptions to fasting
According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, those who have reached the age of 60 are exempt from fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. However, they may choose to participate in the fast if their health permits. The norms on fasting for members of the Latin Catholic Church are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. Those under the age of 18 and over the age of 59 are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence but are encouraged to understand the true meaning of penance.
Members of the Latin Catholic Church are required to observe the laws of abstinence from meat starting at the age of 14. However, this may vary based on the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. For example, the former regulations on abstinence in some Catholic countries started as young as age seven, but there were many exceptions. Large groups of people were considered exempt from fasting and abstinence, including the sick, those with physically demanding jobs, travellers, and students.
In addition, those who are physically or mentally ill, including individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, are exempt from fasting and abstinence outside the age limits. Pregnant or nursing women are also excused from these requirements. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
It is important to note that the rules of fasting and abstinence have been adjusted over time and may differ based on geographic location. For example, in some European colonies, the obligation to fast and abstain differed by race, with indigenous persons often having more lenient rules. Additionally, the countries of the former Spanish empire had their own dispensations from the rules, based on "Crusader privileges."
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Fasting rules for Lent
Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and almsgiving. It is a period of penance and self-discipline for Catholics, who traditionally give up something during this time.
Who should be fasting?
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the norms of fasting are obligatory for those aged between 18 and 59. Those under 18 and over 60 are not bound by the law of fasting, but they are still taught the true meaning of penance. Children, adults with physical and mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing are all exempt from fasting.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Some choose to eat only bread and water during this time. On other Fridays during Lent, Catholics must refrain from eating meat, but they can have three full meals.
Abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good and not inherently sinful, such as meat. Catholics are allowed to eat seafood during this time, with some exceptions, including beaver meat in Quebec and muskrat meat in parts of the United States.
There are no specific rules around liquids, so tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol are permitted. However, a smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food.
The normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion apply during Lent, so Catholics must abstain from food for one hour before Mass.
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The history of fasting in the Catholic Church
Fasting and abstinence are observed by the Catholic Church at various times throughout the year. Fasting is considered the reduction of one's food intake, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good but not inherently sinful, such as meat. According to the Catholic Church, all people are obliged to perform penance for their sins through these acts of corporeal and personal penance.
The contemporary canonical legislation for Catholics of the Latin Church sui juris, which comprises most Catholics, is rooted in the 1966 Apostolic Constitution of Pope Paul VI, known as Paenitemini. This constitution recommended that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation and encouraged all Catholics to voluntarily fast and abstain. Pope Paul VI also allowed for fasting and abstinence to be substituted with prayer and charitable acts, with norms set by the Episcopal Conferences.
The current practice of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church is regulated by Canons 1250–1253 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. These canons specify that all Fridays throughout the year and the Lenten season are penitential times for the entire Church. The law of fasting applies to those who have come of age until the beginning of their sixtieth year. After turning sixty, individuals are automatically excused from fasting requirements on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but may choose to participate if their health permits.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are obliged to follow the discipline of their particular church. While some Eastern Catholics strive to adhere to stricter Orthodox rules, their actual canonical obligations are often more lenient. Eastern Christians observe two significant fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are supposed to fast from the age of 18 until the age of 59. Those under 18 and over 59 are exempt from fasting, but they may participate in the fast if they choose to and their health permits.
Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. They are also supposed to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Fasting for Catholics means eating one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal.
