Michael Brooks
Catholics observe the disciplines of fasting and abstinence from meat at various times each year. Fasting is obligatory for Catholics aged 18 to 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with one full meal and two smaller meals allowed. Abstinence from meat is obligatory for Catholics aged 14 and above on Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent. However, the rules may vary for members of Eastern Catholic Churches, who observe their own specific laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age for obligatory fasting | 18-59 years |
| Age for abstinence from meat | 14 years and older |
| Number of full meals allowed on a fast day | 1 |
| Number of additional meals allowed on a fast day | 2 smaller meals that do not equal another full meal |
| Days of obligatory fasting and abstinence | Ash Wednesday and Good Friday |
| Days of obligatory abstinence | Fridays during Lent |
| Days of abstinence from meat in the US | Fridays of the year |
| Days of abstinence from meat in England | All Fridays of the year |
| Days of abstinence from meat in the past | Ember days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), occurring four times a year |
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What You'll Learn
Obligatory fasting age range: 18-59
The Catholic Church observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence from meat at various times each year. For Catholics, fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good but not inherently sinful, such as meat.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the commonly accepted rules in the US, obligatory fasting is only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics aged between 18 and 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. These rules have been in effect for over a decade and are taken from the USCCB Fast and Abstinence page.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. For those outside the age limits, Canon Law notes that pastors and parents should ensure that children understand the true meaning of penance.
In addition to the obligatory days of fasting, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. This is to remember the death of Jesus on the cross. On the U.S. Bishops' website, they explain that when possible, the Good Friday fast should continue until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. While these are the only two days of full fasting and abstinence required, all of Lent should be a time of spiritual formation and preparation for Easter.
Historically, the rules around fasting and abstinence were stricter. In the early 20th century, Church law prescribed fasting throughout Lent, with abstinence only on Fridays and Saturdays. Over time, the rules have been relaxed in many countries, with fasting often reduced to just a few days of the year.
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Abstinence from meat: from age 14
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, abstinence from meat is obligatory for members from the age of 14. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent, everyone aged 14 and above must abstain from consuming meat. This is a commonly accepted rule in the U.S. and has been in effect for over a decade.
The Catholic Church teaches that all people are obliged by God to perform penance for their sins, and these acts of penance are both personal and corporeal. Abstinence is one such act, where Catholics refrain from meat, which is considered a luxury. This is done on specific days of the year, such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.
The practice of abstinence from meat on Fridays is a long-standing tradition in Catholicism. While it is no longer required every Friday of the year, it is still observed during Lent and on other special days. In some countries, abstinence from meat has been substituted with other pious or charitable acts, such as donating to those in need.
The norms of abstinence from meat may vary slightly depending on the specific Catholic Church and region. For example, the Eastern Catholic Churches follow their own particular laws, and in the past, the rules for abstinence were different in countries like Ireland and the United States. However, the common theme across all these variations is the recognition of the importance of penance and spiritual formation during Lent and on specific days throughout the year.
It is important to note that fasting and abstinence are not the same practices. Fasting refers to reducing one's intake of food, while abstinence involves refraining from specific types of food, such as meat. The rules for fasting may differ from those for abstinence, with fasting being obligatory for those aged 18 to 59 in the Latin Catholic Church.
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Exemptions: pregnant/nursing women, ill people
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from ages 18 to 59. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, members of this age group must fast. This involves eating one full meal and two smaller meals that do not together equal a full meal. However, exemptions are made for those who are ill or have a medical condition.
The physically or mentally ill, including those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, are exempt from fasting. This is because fasting may jeopardise their health further. The Catechism of Perseverance also notes that the sick are exempt from the law of fasting. This is one of the two laws affected by the question of exemptions, the other being the law of abstinence.
Pregnant and nursing women are also exempt from the law of fasting. This is mentioned in Father Keenan's catechism, as well as Bishop Hays' catechism from 1781, which is the oldest mention of the age of fasting in an English-language catechism.
In addition to the above exemptions, those under the age of 21, the elderly who can only eat small amounts at a time, and those engaged in hard labour are also exempt from the law of fasting.
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Devotional fasting: fasting by choice
Devotional fasting is a type of fasting that is done by Catholics of their own volition rather than out of obligation. While obligatory fasting days are limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, devotional fasting can be performed at any time. Traditional devotional fasting days include every Friday of the year, the eve of great feast days, and the whole of Lent.
Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good but not inherently sinful, such as meat. Catholics may choose to fast from non-food items such as TV, social media, cursing, or gossip, or they may choose to abstain from meat and instead eat fish on Fridays during Lent.
Lent is a powerful invitation to create small sacrifices and make oneself 100% available to God. Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need.
In addition to obligatory and devotional fasting, there are also Ember Days, which occur four times a year. The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of Ember Week are days of fast and abstinence, though the Wednesday and Saturday are often only partial abstinence days.
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Ember days: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
The Catholic Church previously required all members to fast on Ember Days, which occur four times a year, specifically on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), and St. Lucy's Day (December 13). The Ember Days are rooted in the Old Testament, with the Book of Zechariah describing an ancient Jewish practice of fasting four times a year.
The obligation for Catholics to fast on Ember Days was lifted by Pope St. Paul VI in 1966, and the days were removed from the liturgical calendar in 1969. However, many Catholics still voluntarily observe these days as a way to stay connected to the liturgical year. While there is no longer a canonical or moral obligation to fast on Ember Days, Catholics are encouraged to find their own ways to draw close to Jesus and imitate his example of self-denial.
Fasting on Ember Days typically consisted of eating only one full meal per day and abstaining from meat, with two small snacks allowed if needed. This practice is known as "partial abstinence" and was intended to remind Catholics to honour nature's gifts by using them in moderation.
Ember Days are also considered special days for prayer, where Catholics can give thanks for the blessings they have received and remind themselves of their need for penance and grace. They are seen as a way to focus on the good things in God's creation and to pray for vocations, as they were traditionally days of ordination.
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Frequently asked questions
Obligatory fasting for Catholics is only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The commonly accepted rules in the US state that obligatory fasting is for those aged 18 to 59. Those aged 14 and above must abstain from meat on these days.
Yes, those who are physically or mentally ill, including those with chronic illnesses, are exempt from fasting. Pregnant or nursing women are also exempt.
Yes, there is devotional fasting, which is done out of free will and not obligation. Traditional days for devotional fasting include every Friday of the year, the whole of Lent, and the eve of great feast days.
