Joshua Bennett
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinance for Catholics. Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and almsgiving. On Good Friday, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not together amount to a full meal. They may also drink liquids such as tea, coffee, and juice at any time. Catholics may not eat meat on Good Friday, or on any other Friday, unless it is a holiday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who should fast? | Catholics aged 18-59 in reasonable health |
| Who is exempt? | Children, adults with physical and mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing |
| What are the rules? | Only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a single normal meal |
| What foods are restricted? | Meat, except for fish |
| When does the fast end? | The fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night |
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What You'll Learn
Obligatory fasting and abstinence on Good Friday
Fasting and abstinence are two different practices. Fasting refers to abstaining from food, while abstinence refers to refraining from eating certain foods, such as meat. The rules for fasting on Good Friday allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals, which together are not equal to a single normal meal. This practice is intended to be a sacrifice and a way to deepen one's hunger and desire for Christ.
Abstinence, on the other hand, is obligatory for those aged 14 and above. It refers to refraining from eating meat, specifically on Fridays during Lent and Good Friday. This practice is seen as an act of penance, reminding people of past wrongs and identifying with those who are suffering.
The norms on fasting and abstinence may vary slightly depending on the local Catholic Church and its traditions. For example, the Latin Catholic Church obliges members aged 18 to 59 to follow the fasting norms, while members aged 14 and above must abstain from meat. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches follow the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.
In some countries, the Bishops' Conferences have substituted pious or charitable acts for abstinence from meat on Fridays, except for Good Friday. The practice of fasting and abstinence is intended to help Catholics enter into a simpler and more intentional way of living, drawing them closer to the path of Christ.
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Good Friday fasting rules
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent, alongside prayer and almsgiving. It is seen as a spiritual exercise that draws followers nearer to God and opens their hearts to receive His gifts.
Fasting rules for Catholics on Good Friday allow for only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. This rule applies to those aged 18 to 59 who are in reasonable health. Children, adults with physical and mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing are exempt from fasting.
On Good Friday, Catholics also abstain from eating meat, as they do on all Fridays during Lent. Abstinence is obligatory for Catholics aged 14 and above. Some Catholics may choose to extend the Good Friday fast until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, honouring the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
In addition to Good Friday, Ash Wednesday is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. Catholics are encouraged to abstain from meat on all Fridays, and during Lent, they may choose to give up other things as well. This could include giving up certain activities or items, such as adopting a limited wardrobe or refraining from certain foods or drinks.
The number of days requiring fasting has decreased over time, with adjustments proposed by Episcopal Conferences for their territories. However, the precept to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remains unchanged.
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Exemptions from fasting
According to the Catholic Church's guidelines, those aged 18 to 59 who are in good health are required to fast on Good Friday. This means they can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. However, children, adults with physical or mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing are exempt from fasting. The Church emphasizes that common sense should prevail, and individuals should not jeopardize their health by fasting.
The norms on fasting are obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from ages 18 to 59. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches follow the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority until the beginning of their sixtieth year. At that age, a person is automatically excused from fasting on Good Friday, but they may choose to participate if their health permits.
In addition to age and health considerations, other factors may exempt individuals from fasting. For example, people with physically demanding jobs, those who are travelling, and students have historically been considered exempt from fasting and abstinence.
It is important to note that while Good Friday is a day of abstinence, it is not the only day Catholics abstain from meat. Catholics are encouraged to abstain from meat on all Fridays, especially during Lent, and may choose alternative sacrifices if they are vegetarian.
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Good Friday as part of the Easter Triduum
Good Friday is part of the Easter Triduum, which are the three days from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. The Easter Triduum marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The three days of the Easter Triduum are:
- Holy Thursday: This day commemorates the end of the forty days of Lent and marks the beginning of the Triduum. It is also known as the "Lord's Supper" and is observed with an evening Mass.
- Good Friday: On this day, Christians ritually recall the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus. There is no Mass celebrated on this day, but Holy Communion is distributed at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion. The liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.
- Holy Saturday: This day commemorates the day that Jesus lay in his tomb. It is meant to be a quiet day of waiting and remembering the grief of the disciples after Jesus's death and before his resurrection. After sundown on Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil is celebrated, marking the end of the Triduum.
Good Friday is considered a day of abstinence for Catholics, who are encouraged to abstain from eating meat. Fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a single normal meal.
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Fasting as a pillar of Lent
Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent, alongside prayer and almsgiving. Pope Benedict XVI described these pillars as "specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal". Pope John Paul II described Lent as a "commitment to a new life, inspired by Gospel values", moving away from selfishness and drawing closer to the path of Christ.
Fasting is a spiritual exercise and an action of the inner life. It draws us nearer to God and opens our hearts to receive His gifts. It is also a reminder that there are more important things in life than food and our worldly attachments.
During Lent, Catholics are invited to fast from food or worldly pleasures to deepen their hunger and desire for Christ. Fasting gives Catholics an opportunity to enter into a simpler and more intentional way of living. It is a time to discipline our bodies and minds, so we can be open to heavenly realities beyond our appetites.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. On these days, Catholics may eat only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Catholics may also not eat meat on these days or on any Friday during Lent. Those aged 14 and above must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, while those aged 18-59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinance for Catholics. Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal. They are also not allowed to eat meat.
Children, adults with physical and mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing are exempt from fasting on Good Friday.
Fasting on Good Friday is a way for Catholics to honour the suffering and death of Jesus and to prepare to celebrate his resurrection.
