Rachel Evans
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, intended to draw followers nearer to God and open their hearts to receive His gifts. It is a way to express humility and repentance and to focus on prayer. Fasting is also a way to practice self-control and subdue the flesh, confirming goodness and obtaining heavenly rewards. According to St. Basil the Great, fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes. Catholics are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Some Catholics may choose to fast beyond these obligatory days, such as skipping one extra meal a week or choosing an alternative sacrifice if they are vegetarian.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days of fasting | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent |
| Food to abstain from | Meat, or an alternative sacrifice for vegetarians |
| Number of meals | 2 small meals or 1 regular meal |
| Additional practices | Prayer, spending time in front of the blessed sacrament |
| Purpose | Drawing nearer to God, subduing the flesh, raising the mind, obtaining a heavenly reward |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism that draws followers nearer to God and opens their hearts to receive his gifts. It is a reminder that there are more important things in life than food and that worldly attachments can prevent people from becoming the best versions of themselves.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a time of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics get their foreheads blessed with ashes at Mass or a prayer service, reminding them of their need to repent.
On Good Friday, Catholics remember the death of Jesus on the cross. The fast on this day is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, honouring Jesus' suffering and death and preparing for the celebration of his Resurrection.
When fasting, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Abstinence refers to refraining from meat and other good but non-sinful things. The norms concerning abstinence from meat apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches observe their own sui iuris Church laws.
In addition to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics may choose to fast on other days, such as Fridays during Lent, as a form of penance.
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Abstaining from meat on Fridays
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is not legally binding for Catholics, and the rules vary depending on the country. In the United Kingdom, Catholics are required to abstain from meat on all Fridays throughout the year. In Canada, Ireland, and the United States, Catholics can substitute something else for meat, such as alcohol. However, it is still recommended that some form of penance is practised on Fridays.
During Lent, Catholics are encouraged to make sacrifices and create a mini-Lent every Friday to prepare for Sunday and Easter. This can include abstaining from meat or other foods, such as sweets, coffee, or seasonings for vegetarians.
It is important to note that those who are unable to fast or abstain from meat, such as young children, pregnant or nursing mothers, and people with illnesses, are exempted. Fasting and abstaining should never endanger one's health or the health of their child.
By abstaining from meat on Fridays, Catholics can unite in a shared sacrifice, strengthening their bonds of solidarity and reminding each other of Catholic culture and traditions.
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The Eucharistic fast
The rules around the Eucharistic fast have changed over time. In the past, the fast was more stringent, requiring abstinence from food and drink from midnight until Holy Communion. However, in 1957, Pope Pius XII mitigated the fast to three hours, and in 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced it to one hour. These changes aimed to encourage Catholics to receive Communion more frequently.
Today, the Eucharistic fast is still an important practice for many Catholics, and it is considered a spiritual exercise that draws one nearer to God. Some Catholics may also choose to fast for longer periods or observe additional days of fasting beyond those ordered by the Church, as a way to deepen their spiritual commitment.
It is worth noting that fasting in monastic practice can be more strict, and during this fasting period, individuals may also abstain from or limit entertainment and engage in quiet reflection through devotional literature. Additionally, fasting is relaxed for certain individuals, including pregnant and nursing women, the ill, the elderly, and young children.
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Benefits of fasting
The Catholic Church requires all Catholics between the ages of 14 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means eating only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Catholics also abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday.
Fasting is a spiritual exercise and a weapon for the valiant, as St. Basil the Great said. It safeguards the soul, anoints unto piety, and teaches stillness. Fasting also draws one nearer to God and opens their heart to 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. Fasting encourages contemplation of life beyond death and reminds us of our weakness and dependence.
Additionally, fasting is a form of self-discipline and a way to control greediness and subdue the flesh. It is a means to confirm goodness and obtain a heavenly reward. Fasting can also be a community activity, bringing a parish together to pray and fast.
Lent is a time to slow down and be intentional, creating small sacrifices and making oneself available to God. It is a time of preparation for Easter, the celebration of Christ's Resurrection, and a period of spiritual self-discipline. By fasting, Catholics follow Christ's example of fasting in the desert before beginning His public ministry.
Fasting is also an opportunity for those who are able to do so to go beyond the Church's requirements and include additional forms of fasting, such as skipping one extra meal a week. This can be a way to further deepen one's spiritual conversion and strengthen one's ability to fast.
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Different types of fasts
Fasting is a common practice in the Catholic Church, observed at various times throughout the year. While fasting is typically associated with Lent, there are several other types of fasts that Catholics may undertake.
Eucharistic Fast
The Eucharistic fast is a one-hour fast before receiving Holy Communion. This type of fast is meant to prepare oneself for the coming of the Lord in Holy Communion.
Bread and Water Fast
The most popular type of fast is the bread and water fast. However, this type of fast is not suitable for everyone, as some people may not be able to physically tolerate it.
Partial Abstinence
Partial abstinence is a practice observed in the United States after the norms for abstinence were adopted in 1951. It allowed meat to be consumed only once during the day at the main meal. However, this practice is not mentioned in the current Catholic Canon Law.
Great Fast
The Great Fast is observed by Eastern Catholics before Easter. During this fast, specific practices may vary, but meat, dairy products, and, in some countries, oil are typically avoided on certain days. In the week before the Nativity, these foods, as well as eggs, are avoided on all days, and meals are moderate in quantity.
St. Michael's Fast
St. Michael's Fast is observed in honour of St. Michael and the Angels. It lasts for forty days, from the feast of the Assumption (July 29th) to August 15th.
Lenten Fast
Lent is the only period of fasting that is binding for Latin Catholics. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, with voluntary fasting encouraged on weekdays during this period. During Lent, Catholics may choose to abstain from meat and other indulgences as a form of penance.
It is important to note that fasting in Catholicism is not limited to abstaining from food. It can also include abstaining from sins, known as "internal penance" or "internal repentance," or engaging in external penance through additional prayers or acts of service.
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Frequently asked questions
Fasting is a spiritual exercise that draws Catholics nearer to God and opens their hearts to receive his gifts. It is also a reminder that there are more important things in life than food.
Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. They are also required to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Some Catholics eat nothing but bread and water for 24 hours. Others only eat dinner and skip breakfast and lunch. Some also choose to give up sweets, coffee, or seasonings instead of meat.
Fasting is a form of bodily mortification that helps to "liberate" man from his senses. It is also a way to express humility and repentance before God and to strengthen the soul through self-control.
Fasting should not be so difficult that it prevents one from carrying out their daily duties. It is also important to focus on prayer during fasting and to remember that the hunger produced by fasting can improve one's spirituality.
