Lenten regulations on fasting

Posted February 27, 2003

a. Ash Wednesday (March 5) is a day of fast and abstinence. This means that all the faithful between the ages of 18-59, who are otherwise in good health, should eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday. Two lighter meals are also permitted. In addition, the law of abstinence requires that all of those who are 14 years of age or over are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

b. Similarly, Good Friday is also a day of fast and abstinence. The same rules apply as on Ash Wednesday. (This is part of the most ancient fast in the church, the Paschal Fast for Easter. The Holy See encourages all to continue that fast, where possible, into Holy Saturday. This is especially true for the catechumens and candidates for initiation.)

c. The Fridays of Lent are to be observed as days of abstinence. For those 14 years of age and over, no meat is to be eaten on those days.

d. Each individual Catholic should resolve to engage in other activities of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and mortification during the 40 days of Lent. The celebration of Mass, sacramental reconciliation, generous assistance to the poor and religious/charitable causes should be a part of everyone's Lent.

(These regulations will also be printed in parish bulletins.)