Ethan Walker
Catholics observe the disciplines of fasting and abstinence at various times throughout the year. Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good, such as meat. During Lent, Catholics are called to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays. Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day and two smaller meals, known as collations. The fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. Additionally, all members of the Latin Catholic Church are required to observe the laws of abstinence from the age of 14, and fasting from the age of 18 until the age of 59.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long does Catholic fasting last? | One full meal and two smaller meals during the day |
| Days of fasting | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent |
| Age restrictions | From age 14 to 59 |
| Purpose | Spiritual exercise and self-discipline |
| Additional practices | Abstaining from meat, giving up text messaging, donating money or goods to the poor |
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What You'll Learn
Obligatory fasting days
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, 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 for baptism. It is a time of spiritual formation and preparation for Easter, marked by prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, giving alms, and practicing self-control through fasting and abstinence.
Good Friday, the day Catholics remember the death of Jesus on the cross, is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. When possible, the fast is continued through the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night to honor the suffering and death of Jesus and prepare for the celebration of his Resurrection.
In addition to these obligatory days, Fridays during Lent are also obligatory days of abstinence, with Catholics traditionally abstaining from meat on these days. This practice is based on the belief that Fridays are a special day of penitential observance throughout the year, as stated by the bishop in the United States.
While these are the obligatory fasting and abstinence days, Catholics are encouraged to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the year, such as giving up text messaging or participating in the CRS Rice Bowl program by donating meals and money to Catholic Relief Services.
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Fasting rules
The Catholic Church observes fasting and abstinence from meat at various times throughout the year. Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good but not inherently sinful, such as meat.
On obligatory fasting days, Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day and two smaller meals, known as "collations". These rules on food intake only relate to solid food, and beverages are not restricted. The law of fasting applies to those between the ages of 18 and 59. Those over 60 are automatically excused but may participate if they choose to and their health permits.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory fasting days for Catholics. Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus on the cross, and the fast is ideally continued through the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
In addition to these days, all Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat. Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. During this time, Catholics are encouraged to give up meals and donate the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need.
While fasting and abstinence are the most well-known Lenten practices, Catholics are also called to practice self-discipline in other ways, such as giving up text messaging or participating in daily Mass.
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Abstinence rules
Abstinence is a key part of fasting for Catholics, and the two are often mentioned together. The Catholic Church teaches that all people are obliged by God to perform some penance for their sins, and that these acts of penance are both personal and corporeal. Bodily fasting is meaningless unless it is joined with a spiritual avoidance of sin.
Abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good, and not inherently sinful, such as meat. The law of abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics aged 14 and above. Members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding from age 14 onwards. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics must abstain from meat. In addition, they must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. The Ember Days have been re-established in the Calendar of the Ordinariates, and as long as a Solemnity does not take precedence, the Ember Fridays in September and Advent are days of obligatory abstinence. Obligatory abstinence on Ember Friday in Lent is included in the universal Lenten discipline, and abstinence on Ember Friday on Whitsuntide is not required, as all days of the Octave of Pentecost are Solemnities.
In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent. For example, in 2009 Monsignor Benito Cocchi, Archbishop of Modena, urged young Catholics to give up text messaging for Lent. In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Catholics must also observe the Eucharistic Fast, which in the Latin Church 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. CRS Rice Bowl is one way Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those who do not have enough to eat.
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Lenten fasting
Lent is a Catholic observance that lasts for 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, culminating in the celebration of the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, Catholics are called to seek the Lord through prayer, serve others by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting.
On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and where possible, throughout Holy Saturday, both abstinence and fasting are required. Abstinence means refraining from something good, typically meat, and is observed on all Fridays during Lent. Catholics over the age of 14 in the Latin Catholic Church are bound by the norms concerning abstinence from meat.
In addition to dietary restrictions, Catholics may also adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging or participating in the CRS Rice Bowl initiative, where they give up meals and donate the cost to Catholic Relief Services.
While fasting and abstinence are obligatory on specific days, the bishops encourage Catholics to participate in daily Mass and observe fasting on all other weekdays of Lent. This period is meant for spiritual formation and preparation for Easter, emphasizing the importance of generosity and sharing with the poor.
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Fasting and charity
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, a way to draw nearer to God and receive His gifts. It is a reminder that there are more important things in life than food and that worldly attachments can prevent us from becoming the best version of ourselves. Catholics are encouraged to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent. Fasting on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night to honour the suffering and death of Jesus.
During Lent, Catholics are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptised. It is a time for self-discipline and prayer, seeking the Lord by reading Sacred Scripture. Catholics are also called to serve by giving alms and sharing God's gifts, not only through the distribution of money but also through the sharing of time and talents. St. John Chrysostom reminds Catholics that "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."
One way to enhance Lenten fasting is by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need. This practice is known as "almsgiving," a witness to fraternal charity and a work of justice pleasing to God. Catholics can also give up non-dietary items during Lent, such as text messaging or sweets, coffee, or seasonings for vegetarians.
On the days of mandatory fasting, Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day and two smaller meals, known as "collations". Church requirements on fasting only relate to solid food, not drinks, so Catholics are free to consume water or other beverages, including alcoholic drinks. The law of fasting binds those from age 18 to the beginning of the sixtieth year, while the norms concerning abstinence from meat apply from age 14 onwards for members of the Latin Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, and the fast should last through the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
Ash Wednesday is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. 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 two smaller meals, known as "collations".
Catholics may give up meals during Lent and donate the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services. Another example is when young Catholics gave up text messaging for Lent in 2009.
