Joshua Bennett
Catholics are asked to fast at various times each year, including during Lent, which is the 40 days before Easter. During Lent, Catholics pray, fast, and engage in acts of spiritual self-discipline to prepare for Easter, which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ. In addition to Lent, Catholics are also expected to abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year and to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The norms of fasting are obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from ages 18 to 59, while abstinence from meat is binding from age 14 onwards. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches follow the particular laws of their own sui iuris Church, which may include observing the Great Fast before Easter and Phillip's Fast before the Nativity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Norms on fasting obligatory age range | 18-59 |
| Number of meals permitted | 1 full meal and 2 smaller meals |
| Age from which abstinence from meat is binding | 14 |
| Days of obligatory fasting and abstinence | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday |
| Days of abstinence from meat | All Fridays of the year |
| Days of abstinence from meat during Lent | All Fridays |
| Eastern Christians' major times of fasting | The "Great Fast" before Easter, "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity |
| Norms for abstinence in the US | Adopted in 1951 |
| Norms for abstinence in former Spanish empire countries | Based on "Crusader privileges" |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are asked to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
On the days of fasting, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. In addition to fasting, Catholics are also expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good and not inherently sinful, such as meat. Catholics who do not eat meat are asked to abstain from some other food that they regularly consume.
The norms of fasting are obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from the age of 18 until the age of 59. For those under the age of 18 and over the age of 59, fasting is not obligatory, but they are still encouraged to understand the true meaning of penance. According to canon law, all Latin Church Catholics are required to observe the laws of abstinence starting at the age of 14.
Fasting is a powerful way for Catholics to make an appeal to God in times of need. It is a form of penance and spiritual discipline that prepares individuals to celebrate Christ's triumph over sin and death.
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Fasting is obligatory for those aged 18-59
Fasting is obligatory for Latin Church Catholics aged 18 to 59. This means that on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, those in this age group are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Those outside of this age bracket are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence but are encouraged to understand the true meaning of penance.
Fasting is a powerful way of making an appeal to God in times of need. It is a biblical discipline that can be defended in both the Old and New Testaments. Catholics follow this pattern by holding a partial fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent.
The practice of fasting is also associated with the 40 days that Christ spent fasting in the desert before entering his public ministry. Catholics imitate this by spending 40 days in spiritual discipline before celebrating Christ's triumph over sin and death at Easter.
In addition to fasting, Catholics are also encouraged to give alms as a way of sharing God's gifts. This can be done through the distribution of money, as well as the sharing of time and talents.
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Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays is especially observed during 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 renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized. In addition to abstaining from meat, they may also choose to abstain from other luxuries during this time.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is not limited to the Lenten season. In England and Wales, for example, Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year, except when a Solemnity falls on a Friday. This norm was reintroduced in 2011 by the Bishops' Conference, coinciding with the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK in September 2010.
The discipline of fasting and abstinence varies among different Catholic churches. Members of the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches, for instance, are obliged to follow the discipline of their own particular church. While some Eastern Catholics try to follow stricter rules, their actual canonical obligations to fast and abstain are often more lenient than those of their Orthodox counterparts. Eastern Christians view fasting as part of repentance and a means to support a spiritual change of heart. They observe two major times of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity, during which they avoid meat, dairy, and, in some cases, oil on specific days.
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Members of the Eastern Catholic Church have their own rules
Eastern Christians observe two major periods of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. The latter is named after St. Philip, as it begins after his feast day. During the "Great Fast", Eastern Catholics gradually prepare themselves by observing Meatfare" and "Cheesefare" weeks. By Meatfare Sunday, they will have stopped consuming meat products, and by Cheesefare Sunday, they will have cleared out all egg and dairy products. During the "Great Fast", specific practices vary, but on some days meat, dairy, and (in some countries) oil are avoided, while on other days there are no restrictions. During the last week before Christmas, meat, dairy, eggs, and oil are typically avoided on all days, and meals are moderate in quantity.
The traditional Byzantine fast for Great Lent includes one meal a day from Monday to Friday, and abstinence from all animal products, including meat, fish with backbones, dairy products, eggs, as well as oil and wine for the entire period of Lent. Shellfish are permitted. Fasting and abstinence are maintained on Saturdays, Sundays, and the eve of special feast days, although the use of oil and wine is permitted on these days. On important feast days, such as the Annunciation and Palm Sunday, fish may be eaten.
The rules of fasting and abstinence have varied historically and geographically. For example, in the early 20th century, Church law prescribed fasting throughout Lent, with abstinence only on Fridays and Saturdays, while countries of the former Spanish Empire had their own extensive dispensations based on "Crusader privileges".
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Fasting is one of the three pillars of Lent
Fasting is a significant practice in the Catholic Church, and it is one of the three pillars of Lent, along with prayer and almsgiving. Lent is a 40-day season of spiritual discipline and preparation before Easter, which is the greatest holy day in the Christian year. During this time, Catholics imitate Christ's 40 days of fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry.
Fasting is the act of reducing one's intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from specific items, such as meat. Catholics are expected to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with abstinence from meat extended to all Fridays during Lent. While fasting, individuals are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. This practice of self-discipline is meant to be accompanied by prayer and reading Sacred Scripture.
The discipline of fasting is not limited to Lent in the Catholic Church. Members of the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches observe two significant fasting periods: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before Christmas. Additionally, the practice can be adopted at other times for various reasons, such as penance, prayer, or responding to specific calls for fasting in times of great need.
Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline that holds a significant place in the Catholic faith. It is a way for Catholics to demonstrate self-control, renew their baptismal commitment, and prepare for important holy days, such as Easter. By combining fasting with prayer, Catholics can make powerful appeals to God and deepen their spiritual connection.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are asked to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Fasting is the reduction of one's intake of food. When fasting, Catholics are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
Fasting is obligatory for Latin Catholics aged 18 to 59. Those under 18 and over 59 are not bound by the law of fasting but are taught the meaning of penance.
Abstinence refers to refraining from something that is good, such as meat.
Catholics are asked to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent and on all Fridays of the year, except when a solemnity falls on that Friday.
