Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church observes fasting and abstinence from meat at various times each year, including Lent, the Great Fast before Easter, and Phillip's Fast before Christmas. Members of the Latin Catholic Church must fast from the ages of 18 to 59, while abstinence from meat is required from age 14. Fasting involves reducing food intake, while abstinence means refraining from something good but not sinful. The disciplines remind Catholics of their obligation to perform penance for their sins and encourage spiritual change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age for obligatory fasting | 18-59 years old |
| Age for obligatory abstinence from meat | 14 years and older |
| Days of obligatory fasting for Latin Catholics | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the vigil of Christmas or the day before |
| Days of obligatory abstinence for Latin Catholics | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent |
| Days of obligatory abstinence for Eastern Catholics | The "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity |
| Description of fasting | Reduction of food intake |
| Description of abstinence | Refraining from meat and other indulgences |
| Purpose of fasting and abstinence | Penance for sins, spiritual change of heart, and preparation for life beyond death |
| Examples of non-dietary abstinence | Giving up text messaging, prayer, almsgiving, or works of charity |
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What You'll Learn
Obligatory fasting days for Catholics
The Catholic Church observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence (from meat) at various times each year. Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good, and not inherently sinful, such as meat. 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.
In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent. For example, in 2009, Archbishop of Modena, Monsignor Benito Cocchi, 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 for one hour before receiving the Eucharist. The earliest recorded practice of Eucharistic Fast was to eat at home before the Lord's Supper if one was hungry. Pope Pius XII reduced this in 1957 to fasting from solid food and alcohol for three hours before Communion. In 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced the Eucharistic Fast to one hour.
Eastern Christians observe two major times of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity. The fast period before Christmas is called Philip's Fast because it begins after the feast day of St. Philip. Specific practices vary, but on some days during the week, meat, dairy products, and (in some countries) oil are avoided, while on other days there are no restrictions. During the last week before the Nativity, meat, dairy, eggs, and oil are typically avoided on all days, and meals are moderate in quantity.
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Age requirements for fasting
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory for those aged between 18 and 59. On fast days, one full meal is permitted, along with two smaller meals that do not together amount to a full meal. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches must observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from the age of 14. Some sources suggest that encouraging children to abstain from meat on Fridays and throughout Lent is worthwhile, and that encouraging adolescent children in high school to fast is meritorious. However, the previous age of abstinence was seven, and this change has been criticised as an "immense disservice to the souls of children" as it deprives them of the opportunity to learn the value of penance and the importance of communal penance.
The Catholic Church teaches that all people are obliged by God to perform penance for their sins, and that these acts of penance are both personal and corporeal. Bodily fasting must be accompanied by spiritual avoidance of sin to be meaningful.
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 for one hour before receiving the Eucharist.
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The number of meals allowed on fast days
The Catholic Church observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence at various times each 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. According to the Church, all Catholics are obliged by God to perform penance for their sins through these acts, which are both personal and corporeal.
On obligatory fasting days, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. These obligatory fasting days include Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics aged 18 to 59, and for those aged 14 and above, abstinence from meat is required on Fridays during Lent.
The norms on fasting and abstinence differ for members of the Eastern Catholic Churches, who are obliged to follow the discipline of their own specific church. While some Eastern Catholics attempt to adhere to the stricter rules of their Orthodox counterparts, their actual canonical obligations are often much more lenient. Eastern Christians view fasting as a part of repentance and observe two major fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. During these periods, specific practices vary, but some days may involve abstaining from meat, dairy, and oil, while on other days there are no restrictions.
In addition to the obligatory fasting days, Catholics may also choose to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging. The Lenten season is a time of penance, and some Catholics may choose to give up meals and donate the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to aid those in need. Sundays during Lent are not prescribed days of fasting and abstinence, and it is ultimately a personal decision.
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Abstinence from meat
The Catholic Church observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence from meat at various times throughout the year. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat for Catholics. Members of the Latin Catholic Church, who comprise most Catholics, are required to observe the laws of abstinence from the age of 14, and this abstinence is obligatory until the age of 59. On these days, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a traditional Catholic sacrifice. In predominantly Catholic areas, restaurants may adjust their menus during this period by adding seafood items. While fish, lobster, and other shellfish are not considered meat and can be consumed on days of abstinence, indulging in lavish seafood buffets is considered to defeat the purpose of abstinence. Instead, Catholics are encouraged to opt for simple meatless dinners such as pancakes, waffles, soup, macaroni and cheese, or grilled cheese sandwiches.
In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging. Additionally, the Eucharistic Fast in the Latin Church involves taking nothing but water or medicine for one hour before receiving the Eucharist.
Members of autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches are obliged to follow the discipline of their own particular church. While some Eastern Catholics follow stricter Orthodox rules, their actual canonical obligations to fast and abstain are often more lenient. Eastern Christians observe two major times of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity. During the fast period before Christmas, specific practices vary, but some days involve avoiding meat, dairy, and oil, while on other days there are no restrictions.
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The purpose of fasting
Fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life. God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, and the Church Fathers have preached its importance. In the Catholic Church, fasting is obligatory for adults aged 18 to 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal. Abstinence from meat is observed by those aged 14 and older.
Fasting is also a form of penance and self-denial. Catholics may enhance their Lenten fasting practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services, helping those in need. In some Western countries, Catholics have been encouraged to adopt non-dietary forms of abstinence during Lent, such as giving up text messaging. This practice aligns with the idea of "the deprivation of the good, in order to make a decision for a greater good," as explained by Father Hezekias Carnazzo, the founding executive director of the Institute of Catholic Culture.
Additionally, fasting is seen as a way to prepare oneself for significant spiritual events or milestones. For instance, Anna the Prophetess fasted in anticipation of the Messiah's coming (Luke 2:37). Fasting is also observed during the Eastern Christian tradition of the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity, where it is considered a part of repentance and supporting spiritual change.
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Frequently asked questions
Fasting is obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from ages 18 to 59. However, some sources say that children in high school can be encouraged to fast.
Catholics are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.
Fasting involves reducing food intake and abstaining from meat. On fast days, Catholics are allowed to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not together equal a full meal.
