Rachel Evans
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, intended to draw practitioners nearer to God and encourage them to focus on their faith rather than worldly attachments. While fasting is not mandatory for Catholics, it is encouraged as a way to deepen one's spiritual life and connection to God. The Bible and Catholic teachings provide guidelines and traditions for fasting, such as abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, and not eating or drinking one hour before communion. Fasting is seen as a way to express humility, strengthen one's spiritual resolve, and focus more intently on prayer and devotion to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days to fast | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Fridays during Lent |
| Foods to abstain from | Meat, though some substitute with sweets, coffee, or seasonings |
| Meals to skip | Breakfast and lunch |
| Drinks to avoid | Sugary drinks like soda, juices, and sports drinks |
| Purpose | To focus on prayer, to petition God, to fight sin, to express humility, to strengthen spirituality |
| Additional options | Eat only bread and water for 24 hours, donate cost of meals to Catholic Relief Services |
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What You'll Learn
When to fast: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Lent
Catholics are required to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these two days, Catholics may eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, do not equal a single normal meal. They may not eat meat, but they can have fish. Those aged 18–59, in reasonable health, are required to follow this rule.
Ash Wednesday is one of two yearly days of obligatory fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics. It is also the first day of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. During Lent, Catholics are called to seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture, serve by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting.
Good Friday is the other yearly obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics. It is the day on which Catholics remember the death of Jesus on the cross. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honour the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare to celebrate his Resurrection.
In addition to fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics must abstain from eating meat on all Fridays during Lent. This means that they can have three full meals but refrain from eating meat. Those 14 and older must follow this rule.
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Abstain from meat
Abstaining from meat is a traditional aspect of fasting in the Catholic Church. This practice is observed on Fridays during Lent, although some Catholics choose to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year.
The act of abstaining from meat is a form of bodily mortification, which aims at the "liberation" of man from his senses and the cure of the "wounds inflicted on the dignity of our nature by intemperance". By abstaining from meat, Catholics can focus more on God and their spiritual lives rather than their physical desires. This spiritual exercise helps to detach oneself from worldly attachments and serves as a reminder of the passing nature of life, encouraging consideration of life beyond death.
In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics may also choose to give up other foods or drinks during Lent, such as sweets, coffee, or seasonings. Some may also choose to skip meals entirely, opting for bread and water or only eating dinner while skipping breakfast and lunch.
Fasting is often accompanied by prayer, as seen in the Bible where followers of Jesus fasted and prayed before important decisions were made. Fasting is not meant to be a physical challenge but a spiritual one, where the hunger produced is embraced as a sign of willingness to shoulder the burdens of others and express humility before God. It is important to note that fasting should not be done in a way that renders one unable to fulfil daily duties, but rather as a challenge that allows for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God.
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Fasting and prayer
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, with the intention of drawing oneself nearer to God. It is a way of expressing that spiritual things are more important than physical things. Fasting is also a way of petitioning God and is often accompanied by prayer.
Fasting is a common practice during Lent, a time when Catholics may choose to "give something up". During Lent, Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays, although this is not required in the US. Instead, Catholics are encouraged to make some other form of food-based penance or sacrifice. Outside of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
There are different ways to fast. Some choose to eat only bread and water for 24 hours, while others skip breakfast and lunch, eating only dinner. Some may choose to give up sweets, coffee, or seasonings instead of meat. It is important to note that fasting should not be so difficult or unhealthy that it prevents one from carrying out their daily duties.
Fasting is also an opportunity to focus more on prayer. While fasting, one may spend more time in prayer, drawing nearer to God and seeking to receive his gifts. Fasting can be a way of expressing humility before God, recognizing our dependence on Him and our need for reform.
In the Bible, Jesus teaches that some demons can only be cast out through prayer and fasting. Fasting can be a powerful tool in spiritual battles, helping to repel temptations and strengthen one's spiritual life.
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Fasting for health
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, and while it may have some physical health benefits, it is not recommended as a health improvement technique. Instead, it is intended to improve us spiritually and bring us closer to God. Fasting is also a way of petitioning God and can be used to focus more on prayer.
When fasting, it is important to ensure that it is not so difficult or unhealthy that it renders you unable to live out your daily duties. Fasting should be a challenge that allows you to focus more on God than yourself. It is a reminder that there are more important things in life than food and helps to release us from our attachments to worldly possessions.
- Eat nothing but bread and water for 24 hours.
- Only eat dinner, skipping breakfast and lunch. Water and other drinks are fine, but no snacks or sugary drinks.
- Choose a day of the week to fast, such as Wednesday or Friday, which are traditional fasting days in the Catholic Church.
- Observe the Eucharistic fast by not eating or drinking one hour before communion.
- Commit to fasting for a certain amount of time, such as one week, one month, or 90 days.
Fasting should be accompanied by prayer and a sincere desire to repent and draw closer to God. It is a spiritual discipline that requires humility and a recognition of our dependence on God.
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Fasting for spiritual reasons
Fasting is a spiritual exercise in Catholicism, primarily an action of the inner life. It is a way of drawing closer to God and opening oneself up to receiving His gifts. It is a reminder that there are more important things in life than food and helps to release us from our attachments to the things of this world. Fasting also serves as a reminder that everything in this world is passing, thus encouraging us to consider life beyond death.
Fasting is also a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, and a weapon for the valiant. It repels temptations, anoints unto piety, and teaches stillness in peace and bravery in war.
There are several ways to fast. Firstly, one should obey the law of the Church by fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, abstaining from meat on Fridays, and observing the Eucharistic fast (not eating or drinking one hour before communion). Some Catholics also choose to fast on Wednesdays, a traditional fasting day for the Church. You can also try eating nothing but bread and water for 24 hours, or only eating dinner and skipping breakfast and lunch. It is important to note that fasting should not be so difficult or unhealthy that it renders you unable to carry out your daily duties.
Fasting is also related to prayer and is used in the Bible as a way of petitioning God. Jesus teaches that some demons can only be cast out through prayer and fasting. Fasting is not merely about gaining more time for prayer, but rather, it is about expressing humility before God and recognising our dependence on Him.
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