Sarah Mitchell
Christmas Eve, or the Vigil of Christmas, was traditionally a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, with meatless meals before midnight Mass. However, in 1966, the modern Catholic Church removed the requirement for fasting on Christmas Eve, and now, any abstinence is voluntary. Traditional Catholics and Byzantine Catholics continue to observe fasting and abstinence on Christmas Eve. In the Byzantine Catholic tradition, if December 24 falls on a weekday, it is a day of strict fasting, but if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated in the morning, and the fast is not observed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting and abstinence | Christmas Eve was a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics for centuries. Traditional Catholics continue to observe this. |
| Date | If Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated in the morning. |
| Food | The meal on Christmas Eve is meatless and ends the day's fast. |
| Midnight Mass | Families may attend Midnight Mass after the evening meal. |
| Byzantine Catholic Tradition | The Byzantine Catholic Tradition has kept the Vigil of Christmas as a fast day for centuries. |
| Nativity Fast | Christmas Eve is the final day of the 40-day Nativity Fast. |
| Philip's Fast | Eastern Catholic churches observe a fast that begins on November 15 and ends on Christmas Eve. |
| Law changes | In 1959, John XXIII allowed the fast to be transferred to December 23. In 1966, the Vigil of Christmas ceased to be a day of fasting in the modern Catholic Church. |
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What You'll Learn
Christmas Eve is a day of fasting and abstinence for traditional Catholics
Christmas Eve, the vigil of Christmas, was historically a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, designed to heighten the joy of the feast to come. In 1966, the modern Catholic Church removed the requirement for fasting on Christmas Eve. However, traditional Catholics continue to observe this day as a day of fasting and abstinence, as their ancestors did for centuries.
The Byzantine Catholic Tradition, in addition to the Roman Rite, has kept the Vigil of Christmas as a fast day for centuries. Christmas Eve is the final day of the Nativity Fast, a period of 40 days of fasting leading up to Christmas. The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburg states that if December 24 falls on a weekday, it is a day of strict fasting, with the Royal Hours celebrated during the day, followed by Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil in the evening. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated in the morning, and the troparion of the Vigil is sung. While the fast is almost over by the evening of December 24, the meal or Holy Supper after Vespers is still meatless.
In 1959, Pope John XXIII allowed Catholics to transfer the Christmas Eve fast and abstinence to December 23. While the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland kept the penance on December 24, other countries like Canada and the Philippines moved it to December 23. The laws of fasting and abstinence, as described in "Moral Theology" by Rev. Heribert Jone and adapted by Rev. Urban Adelman, specify the following:
> "Complete abstinence is to be observed on all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, the Vigils of Immaculate Conception and Christmas. Partial abstinence is to be observed on Ember Wednesdays and Saturdays and on the Vigil of Pentecost. Days of fast are all the weekdays of Lent, Ember Days, and the Vigil of Pentecost."
The size of the collation (the snack eaten on a fasting day) is typically limited to 8 ounces. This guidance was previously provided in the Baltimore Manual published by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1884:
> "Only one full meal is allowed, to be taken about noon or later. Besides this full meal, a collation of eight ounces is allowed. If the full meal is taken about the middle of the day, the collation will naturally be taken in the evening; if the full meal is taken late in the day, the collation may be taken at noon."
In conclusion, Christmas Eve is a day of fasting and abstinence for traditional Catholics, who continue to observe this practice as a spiritual discipline and a way to prepare for the feast of the Nativity on December 25.
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Byzantine Catholics observe a strict fast on Christmas Eve
The practice of fasting on Christmas Eve differs among various Catholic traditions. Byzantine Catholics observe a strict fast on Christmas Eve, also known as the Paramony or Vigil of Christmas. If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, it is a day of strict fasting for Byzantine Catholics. The Royal Hours are celebrated during the day, followed by Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil in the evening.
The Byzantine Catholic Tradition, in addition to the Roman Rite, has preserved the Vigil of Christmas as a fast day for centuries. The fast on Christmas Eve concludes the Nativity Fast, a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Christmas. During the Nativity Fast, Byzantine Catholics may choose to abstain beyond the usual requirements, such as refraining from meat on Fridays throughout the year.
The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburg provides specific guidance on fasting practices for Christmas Eve. If December 24th falls on a weekday, it is observed as a day of strict fasting. However, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated in the morning, and the troparion of the Vigil is sung. While the fast is technically over after Vespers, any evening meal on December 24th remains meatless, as it is still part of the Nativity Fast.
In addition to the Byzantine Catholic tradition, Traditional Catholics also continue to observe fasting and abstinence on Christmas Eve, honouring the practices of their forefathers in the faith for centuries. While fasting practices have evolved over time, with some countries transferring the fast to December 23rd, Byzantine Catholics maintain Christmas Eve as a day of fasting and abstinence.
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The meal on Christmas Eve is meatless
Christmas Eve, the vigil of Christmas, is a day of fasting and abstinence for traditional Catholics, as it has been for centuries. It is the final day of the Nativity Fast, a period of 40 days of fasting leading up to Christmas. The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburg states that if there is a meal or Holy Supper on the evening of December 24th, after Vespers, it must be meatless.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve is rooted in the tradition of vigils for every major feast in the Catholic Church. The vigil is a day of fasting and abstinence, intended to heighten the joy of the feast that follows. This tradition dates back to the 12th century when a 40-day fast before the feast of the Nativity was introduced.
While Christmas Eve is no longer a mandatory day of fasting in the modern Catholic Church, some traditional Catholics continue to observe this practice. In 1966, Pope Paul VI revised the law, making abstinence from meat before noon on Christmas Eve voluntary. However, when Christmas Eve falls on a Friday, the traditional day of abstinence from meat, the rules are different. In such cases, the faithful are not required to abstain from meat, as Christmas is considered a solemnity, the highest-ranking feast in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
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The Christmas Eve fast is called the Nativity Fast
Christmas Eve, December 24, is a day of strict fasting for Catholics. It is the final day of the Nativity Fast, a period of 40 days of fasting leading up to Christmas. The fast begins on November 15, the day after the feast of St. Philip, and is also known as Philip's Fast. The Byzantine Catholic Tradition, in addition to the Roman Rite, has kept the Vigil of Christmas as a fast day for centuries.
The Nativity Fast is a spiritual practice followed in Eastern Christian churches. It is a time set aside to spiritually prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ. The emphasis is on reflecting on the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. During this time, the faithful may choose to abstain beyond what is normally required in the Byzantine Catholic church. For instance, abstaining from meat every Friday the entire year is mandatory for Byzantine Catholics. The practice of almsgiving (providing for and helping the poor) is considered equally important as the discipline of fasting.
The Eve of Nativity (December 24) is a strict fast day, called Paramony, which means 'preparation' in Greek. On this day, no solid food should be eaten until Sirius is seen in the evening sky, or at least until after the Vesperal Divine Liturgy that day. If Paramony falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is not observed as a strict fast, but a meal with wine and oil is allowed after the Divine Liturgy, which is celebrated in the morning.
The All-Night Vigil on the night of December 24 consists of Great Compline, Matins, and the First Hour. The Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of Christ is celebrated on Christmas morning. In monasteries that continue to celebrate the All-Night Vigil in its long form, the conclusion of the Vigil at dawn on Christmas morning leads directly into the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The Vigil is separate from the Divine Liturgy, and the Lenten fast continues even after the Vigil, until the end of the Liturgy the next morning.
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The fast is observed in the Byzantine Catholic rite
Christmas Eve, the vigil of Christmas, was historically a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. This was designed to heighten the joy of the feast to come. In 1966, the Vigil of Christmas ceased to be a day of fasting in the modern Catholic Church. However, traditional Catholics continue to observe this day as a day of fasting and abstinence.
The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburg provides guidance on fasting on Christmas Eve itself. If it falls on a weekday, it is a day of strict fasting, with the Royal Hours celebrated during the day, and Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil in the evening. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated in the morning, and the troparion of the Vigil is sung. If there is a meal or Holy Supper in the evening of December 24, it is to be meatless.
The Byzantine Catholic Tradition, in addition to the Roman Rite, has kept the Vigil of Christmas as a fast day for centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas Eve was historically a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. However, in 1966, the modern Catholic Church removed the requirement for fasting on Christmas Eve. Today, some traditional Catholics continue to observe fasting and abstinence on Christmas Eve.
For centuries, Christmas Eve—the vigil of Christmas—was a day of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church. The practice was designed to heighten the joy of the upcoming feast and was observed by Catholics worldwide, including in the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, and Rome.
The modern Catholic Church does not require fasting on Christmas Eve. However, Catholics are generally required to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year, including Christmas Eve if it falls on a Friday.
Yes, there are exceptions. If Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, Catholics are not required to fast or abstain from meat, as Sundays are never days of fasting or abstinence. Additionally, if Christmas Eve falls on a solemnity, such as a feast day, the requirement to abstain from meat is usually waived.
Yes, there are several Catholic traditions related to fasting on Christmas Eve. One tradition is the Byzantine Catholic practice of the Nativity Fast, which begins on November 15 and ends on Christmas Eve. During this period, the faithful may choose to abstain from meat and engage in almsgiving. Another tradition is for families to share a meatless meal before attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
