Sarah Mitchell
Fasting is a common practice among Catholics, who believe it brings them closer to God and improves them spiritually. Catholics traditionally fast during the seasons of Lent and Advent, as well as on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and other Fridays throughout the year. During fasting, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller, non-filling meals. While fasting, Catholics embrace hunger as a way to express humility before God and recognize their dependence on Him. Fasting is also seen as a way to control greediness and keep the whole body subject to the law of the Spirit. However, some Catholics struggle with the idea of fasting, worrying about losing too much weight or feeling that they are not good Catholics if they don't fast. It is important for Catholics to consult with a priest and ensure that fasting does not harm their health or ability to fulfill their duties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of fasting | Spiritual discipline, self-discipline, penance, spiritual lesson, safeguard for the soul, a means of building spiritual discipline, a way of making an appeal to God, a way to express humility before God |
| Who should fast? | Catholics, Jesus's followers |
| When to fast? | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Fridays during Lent, Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), Saturdays before Pentecost, October 31 (vigil of All Saints), December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 23 (vigil of Christmas), December 7 (vigil of the Immaculate Conception), August 14 (vigil of the Assumption), before receiving the Eucharist, during the Lenten season |
| Who is exempt from fasting? | Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women, nursing mothers, those over 59 years old |
| What does fasting entail? | Abstaining from food, reducing food intake, limiting the number of meals, abstaining from meat, refraining from eating during specific times, embracing hunger |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting is a spiritual practice
Catholics typically associate fasting with the Lenten season, with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday being obligatory days of fasting. However, fasting is not limited to Lent and can be practiced throughout the year, especially in times of great need. Fasting can also be observed on Fridays during Lent and on other days as called for by Church leaders.
Fasting is seen as a way to express humility before God, recognizing our dependence on Him and our need for reform and spiritual growth. It is a way to deny ourselves physical pleasures and embrace hunger as a spiritual lesson, mirroring the hunger of those who are suffering. Fasting also helps to control greediness and keep sensual appetites in check, strengthening our spiritual resolve.
The practice of fasting is often combined with prayer, creating a powerful way to make appeals to God. By fasting and praying, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and His followers, who fasted and prayed before making important decisions or facing challenging situations.
Fasting can also be a way to safeguard the soul and strengthen the body, providing spiritual weapons to face life's challenges. It is a form of self-discipline that helps us focus on spiritual growth and improvement, rather than physical needs and desires.
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Fasting is a form of penance
Fasting is a practice that has been observed by Catholics for centuries, and it is considered a form of penance. According to the Catholic Church, all people are obliged to perform penance for their sins, and these acts of penance can take various forms, including fasting.
Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is believed to bring Catholics closer to God and deepen their compassion for those who go without food. It is seen as a way to express humility before God, recognizing one's dependence on Him and submitting to His will. This act of self-denial and moderation helps Catholics focus more on God's purposes and develop a better self-esteem, which, in turn, fosters a greater concern for the well-being of others.
In the Bible, Jesus expects his followers to fast, as stated in the Sermon on the Mount: "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:16–18; cf. Mark 2:18–20).
The Catholic Church has specific days dedicated to fasting, such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. Additionally, Fridays during Lent are also considered obligatory days of abstinence. However, the number of fasting days has been reduced over time, and adjustments have been made by the Episcopal Conferences to accommodate local norms and substitute fasting with other forms of penance.
Fasting is not limited to specific days or seasons; it is an ancient spiritual practice that should be integrated into a Catholic's prayer life throughout the year, especially during times of great need, such as calling for peace in times of violence. Fasting is seen as a way to express sorrow for sins and to strengthen oneself to resist temptation, ultimately aiding in spiritual growth and discipline.
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Obligatory fasting days
Fasting is a spiritual discipline with ancient origins, practised across many cultures and religions. In the Christian tradition, fasting is observed as a form of penance, a means of building spiritual discipline, and as an aid to prayer.
In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. Fasting is believed to safeguard the soul, strengthen the body, and confirm goodness. It is also a way to express humility before God, recognising dependence on Him and submitting to His will.
The Catholic Church observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence (from meat) at various times each year. For Catholics, fasting means reducing one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something good, like meat.
There are two obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. These days mark the beginning and end of Lent. On these days, Catholics can eat one full meal and two smaller meals, which together are less than a full meal. They are also not allowed to eat meat.
In addition to these obligatory days, Catholics must observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water or medicine for one hour before receiving the Eucharist. This was reduced from a three-hour fast in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.
Catholics in England and Wales are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, a practice that has been observed for centuries as a penance. This was reinstated in 2011 to coincide with the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK.
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Fasting and abstinence
Fasting is a spiritual discipline with ancient origins, practised across many cultures. In the Christian tradition, it has been observed as a form of penance, a means of building spiritual discipline, and as an aid to prayer. Fasting, combined with prayer, is a powerful way of making an appeal to God in times of need.
In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good, such as meat. The norm for fasting in the Catholic Church is to limit oneself to one meal per day. This is based on Pope Paul VI's 1966 Apostolic Constitution on Penance, Paenitemini.
Catholics ordinarily associate fasting with the Lenten season. The only two required days of fasting in the Church mark the beginning and end of Lent: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals, which together would not equal a single normal meal. They may not eat meat. Additionally, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, although they can have three full meals.
Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul. It strengthens the powerful and gives birth to prophets. It makes lawgivers wise and is a gymnasium for athletes. Fasting repels temptations and anoints unto piety. It is a comrade of watchfulness and the artificer of chastity.
Jesus expected his followers to fast. In the Sermon on the Mount, he said: "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:16–18; cf. Mark 2:18–20).
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Fasting as a safeguard for the soul
Fasting is a spiritual discipline with ancient origins, practised across many cultures and religions. In the Christian tradition, it has been observed as a form of penance, a means of building spiritual discipline, and as an aid to prayer.
Catholics typically associate fasting with the Lenten season, with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday being obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. However, fasting is not limited to Lent, and Catholics may be called upon to fast and pray at other times, such as in times of great need or in response to specific events.
Fasting is seen as a safeguard for the soul because it helps to strengthen spiritual discipline and bring one closer to God. It involves denying oneself physical pleasures, even in the face of pain, which is an important spiritual lesson. By willingly embracing hunger, Catholics express their humility before God, recognising their dependence on Him and submitting to His will. This act of humility is linked with fasting in Scripture, as seen in the example of the scribe Ezra: "Then I proclaimed a fast... that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a straight way for ourselves, our children, and all our goods" (Ezra 8:21).
Fasting also helps to purify one physically, although this is not the primary reason for the Christian practice. By embracing hunger, Catholics express the recognition that spiritual things are more important than physical needs. Fasting also helps to control greediness and keep sensual appetites in check, subjecting the body to the law of the Spirit.
In conclusion, fasting is a powerful spiritual weapon for Catholics, serving as a safeguard for the soul by strengthening spiritual discipline, bringing one closer to God, and expressing humility and dependence on Him.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fasting is a spiritual discipline with ancient origins that is practised by Catholics.
Catholics are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with just one large meal on those days. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days or on any Friday during Lent.
Fasting means abstaining from food. However, this does not necessarily mean forgoing food completely. Fasting can also mean limiting the amount of food eaten or restricting the times at which you eat.
Fasting is seen as a form of penance and a means of building spiritual discipline. It is also believed to improve one's spirituality and make one's prayers more effective.
Yes, children, adults with physical and mental illnesses, pregnant women, and those nursing are exempt from fasting. The USCCB stresses that "common sense should prevail" and that one should not jeopardise their health to fast.
