The Catholic Church requires its members to follow some dietary rules in order to recognize and honor certain holy days.
In addition to the Church’s requirements, some Catholics voluntarily fast for personal spiritual reasons, such as penance for personal sin or as a means to overcome a sin (such as gluttony).
Some voluntarily abstain to acknowledge and apologize for the evil of collective sin (such as giving up meat in reparation for the sin of abortion).
What is Fasting?
Fasting is refraining from food or drink as a spiritual discipline. In the tradition of the Catholic Church, a fast is a conscious reduction of the amount of food normally eaten over the course of a day.
A typical fast requires that only three meals are eaten with no snacks in between. One of these meals is normal-sized. The other two meals are smaller-than-normal-sized. When the two smaller meals are added together they should not amount to more than the one normal-sized meal.
Who is Required to Fast?
Catholic adults in good health between the ages of 18-59 are required to fast on specified days. Pregnant women people in ill health are exempt from fasting.
When is Fasting Required?
Fasting is required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but it can be done voluntarily anytime in for reparation for personal sin or as a penance for gluttony. Although it is not required, the Church recommends fasting on all Fridays during Lent.
What about the Eucharistic Fast?
Fasting is required for one hour immediately before receiving Holy Communion during the mass. This is called the “Eucharistic Fast.”
The act of consciously abstaining from food or drink (water and medication are allowed) for one hour before receiving the Eucharist prepares the minds and hearts of the faithful to receive Christ. Fasting is a physical action that places focus and attention on the Eucharistic sacrament.
What is Abstinence?
Abstinence is the act of consciously refraining from eating certain foods for religious reasons.
Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat (flesh) on certain days out of respect for the life of Jesus Christ and His flesh which was sacrificed on Calvary.
Who is Required to Abstain?
Cannon Law requires that all Catholics abstain from eating meat on all Fridays during Lent. In addition to abstaining from meat, the Church recommends fasting on Fridays during Lent as a form of penance.
Isn’t Fasting Just for Monks?
In the Bible, God’s chosen people (the Israelites) fasted to commemorate special occasions and as a way of repenting for their sin. They fasted to express gratitude, humility and love for God. They fasted when seeking guidance from God. They fasted to clear out their senses and focus on Him. Fasting is for everyone; it is a normal part of a spiritual relationship with God.
The Benefits of Fasting and Abstinence
Modern Christians fast and abstain for many reasons: as penance for sin, as an antidote to gluttony, in order to concentrate on their relationship with God, in order to build spiritual muscle and moral fiber, and to allow the spirit a chance to take its rightful place as master over the desires of the flesh.
Fasting and abstinence are disciplines which help believers remember and honor their faith while they strengthen their relationship with God.
For information about abstainence during Lent, readers may be interested in Why Catholics Have "Fish Fridays."
Francine Morrissette - Francine Morrissette is a freelance writer from southern Maine who has published articles on a wide range of topics including health, ...
Join the Conversation