Ethan Walker
For Catholics, fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and almsgiving. While fasting is usually associated with abstaining from food, it can also mean giving up other things, such as coffee or seasonings. The practice of fasting is meant to encourage Catholics to create small sacrifices and make themselves available to God. While fasting is a personal decision, there are some rules and guidelines provided by the Church. For Latin Rite Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59, the Church requires abstinence from meat on all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday, and Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics are also expected to limit themselves to one meal for the entire day. However, on the morning and evening of these days, some exceptions may apply, as noted by Paul VI.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days of fasting | Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent |
| Exceptions | Pregnant or nursing women, those who are physically or mentally ill, including diabetics |
| Obligatory days of fasting and abstinence | Ash Wednesday and Good Friday |
| Fasting rules | Abstain from meat, limit to one meal a day |
| Additional practices | Abstain from eggs and dairy, participate in daily Mass, give alms, give up meals and donate the cost to charity |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting during Lent
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. It is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, Catholics seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, serve by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting.
For Latin Rite Catholics between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine, the Church recommends abstaining from meat (with fish being permitted) on all Fridays in Lent, including Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. For those outside the age limits, Canon Law notes that "pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence are taught the true meaning of penance."
It is important to note that the Church understands that there are circumstances that require exceptions to fasting during Lent. For instance, individuals who are physically ill, diabetic, pregnant, or nursing are exempt from fasting obligations. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
While Sundays during Lent are not prescribed days of fasting and abstinence, many Catholics choose to give something extra up during Lent, in addition to the established rules. This may include giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need.
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Abstaining from meat, eggs, and dairy
The Catholic Church has specific rules for fasting and abstinence during Lent, the 40-day season of prayer and fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.
Abstinence from meat, eggs, and dairy is a traditional practice during Lent, though the rules have become less strict over time. In the past, Catholics would abstain from all meat by-products, including eggs, cheese, and milk. This is why Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, is also known as Fat Tuesday, as Catholics would use up these products before the start of Lent.
Today, Latin Rite Catholics are only required to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday, and Ash Wednesday. On these days, Catholics are also required to limit themselves to one meal for the entire day. However, this meal can be taken at any time, and some food can be consumed in the morning and evening.
The rules for Eastern Catholics are slightly different. They are required to abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent. They also observe two major fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. During these periods, meat, dairy, and eggs are avoided on certain days, and only one meal is consumed at midday.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church makes exceptions for those who are physically ill, diabetic, pregnant, or nursing, as well as other circumstances where fasting may hinder one's health.
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Exceptions to fasting
The Catholic Church requires its members to observe periods of fasting and abstinence during Lent, which is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. However, the Church understands that certain exceptions may be necessary.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states that those who are physically ill, diabetic, or have other chronic illnesses are exempt from fasting if doing so would hinder their health. Similarly, women who are pregnant or nursing are also exempt. The USCCB emphasizes that "common sense should prevail" and that ill persons should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
In addition to health-related exemptions, the Church has historically granted exceptions to large groups of people, including those with physically demanding jobs, travellers, and students. The rules of fasting and abstinence have also varied across different territories and cultures. For example, in some European colonies, indigenous people often had more lenient rules compared to European colonists and their descendants.
While the Church encourages fasting as a spiritual practice, it is not a requirement for all Catholics, and the Church recognizes that individual circumstances may require flexibility. Those who are unable to fast due to exceptional circumstances are invited to unite their sufferings with Christ and offer penance in other ways.
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The history of Wednesday fasting
The practice of Wednesday fasting in the Catholic Church has a long and intricate history. While Wednesday may seem like an unusual day to begin Lent, it holds significance in recalling Christ's Passion, similar to Fridays, which are associated with “Good Friday" and Jesus's death on the cross.
In the early Church, Wednesdays and Fridays were designated as days of fasting. This choice was intentional, as these days held significance in pagan rituals. Wednesdays were dedicated to Mercury, the god of theft and injustice, while Fridays were consecrated to Venus, the goddess of carnal love and debauchery. By observing fasts on these days, the early Church aimed to counteract sinful behaviour prevalent among pagans.
The tradition of Wednesday fasting continued for centuries, almost ten centuries according to Father Slater's "A Short History of Moral Theology" published in 1909. Over time, the obligation to fast on Wednesdays gradually diminished. By the tenth century, the Wednesday fast had been mitigated, and eventually, it disappeared altogether.
However, the practice of Wednesday penance remained significant. In his writing on Spy Wednesday, Dom Prosper Guéranger highlights the connection between the betrayal of Christ and the Church's observance of Wednesday penance. He notes that the Church, from its earliest ages, consecrated Wednesday to penance as an atonement for the outrage suffered by the Son of God.
Today, while Wednesday is no longer a year-round fasting day, its significance persists in the Catholic Church. Ash Wednesday, which falls on the Wednesday before Lent, is one of two yearly days of obligatory fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics. On this day, Catholics are called to fast and abstain from meat, marking the beginning of their Lenten observance.
During Lent, Catholics may also choose to enhance their fasting practice through initiatives like CRS Rice Bowl, where they give up meals and donate the cost to Catholic Relief Services, aiding those facing food insecurity.
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CRS Rice Bowl
The funds raised through CRS Rice Bowl are distributed in two ways. Twenty-five percent of donations are kept within the local community to fight hunger and poverty, while 75% support Catholic Relief Services programming around the world. The program provides lifesaving support to more than 200 million people in over 120 countries.
To participate in CRS Rice Bowl, individuals can pick up a rice bowl from their local parish or school and share their prayer intentions. They can also create an online giving page for easier Rice Bowl collections.
Through CRS Rice Bowl, Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services, helping those facing hunger and food insecurity.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. On this day, Catholics should abstain from meat and limit themselves to one meal for the entire day.
Outside of Lent, some Catholics choose to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. However, this is not a requirement, and you should consult a priest for guidance.
Yes, the Church understands that there are circumstances that require exceptions. For example, individuals who are physically ill, diabetic, pregnant, or nursing are exempt from fasting.
Yes, in addition to fasting, Catholics are encouraged to practice self-discipline by giving up luxuries, participating in daily Mass, and donating money or time to those in need.
