Lent: Fasting and Abstinence

Provided by a prudent priest:

Code of Canon Law: “All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.”  [Can. 1249]

Paul VI: “The time of Lent preserves its penitential character. The days of penitence to be observed under obligation throughout the Church are all Fridays and Ash Wednesday, that is to say the first days of ‘Magna Quadragesima’ (Great Lent), according to the diversity of the rites. Their substantial observance binds gravely.” (Pænitemini, II-1)

What is ‘fasting’? What is ‘abstinence’?

Fasting: reduction in the amount of food consumed (e.g., only one full meal).

“The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing – as far as quantity and quality are concerned – approved local custom.” Pænitemini[1] III-1&2)

Abstinence: refraining altogether from partaking in an otherwise lawful practice (e.g., eating meat).

“The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat.” Pænitemini III-1 & 2

“Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. Fish and all cold-blooded animals may be eaten, e.g., frogs, clams, turtles, etc.”.

Who must fast and abstain?

Fasting and abstinence are recommended by the Church for all the Faithful. Fasting and abstinence are obligatory for certain age groups and on certain days. 

Abstinence:

Years of Age	Current discipline (1983 Code of Canon Law)	Former discipline (1917 Code of Canon Law)
0-14	No abstinence required. “Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.” [Can. 1251]	No abstinence required, but age of exemption is restricted to 0-7 years.
14+	Abstinence from meat[2],[3] on: ·    all Fridays[4] ·    Ash Wednesday [Can. 1251]	Abstinence applies to those seven years old and older. Abstinence from meat, or broth made of meat, required on: ·         all Fridays[5] ·         Ash Wednesday ·         Holy Saturday ·         Vigil of the Assumption of the BVM ·         Vigil of Christmas ‘Partial abstinence’ (meat permitted only at the principal meal) on: ·         all other weekdays of Lent (i.e., Monday through Thursday, and Saturday) ·         Ember Wednesdays and Saturdays ·         Vigil of Pentecost

Fasting:

Years of Age	Current discipline (1983 Code of Canon Law)	Former discipline (1917 Code of Canon Law)
0-18	No fasting required.   “Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.” [Can. 1251]	No fasting required, but age of exemption is expanded to 0-21 years.
18-59	Required to fast on: ·         Ash Wednesday ·         Good Friday Strongly encouraged to fast on: ·         all weekdays of Lent ·         Holy Saturday[6]	Fasting applies to those twenty-one years old to fifty-nine. Required to fast on: ·         Ash Wednesday ·         every day of Lent, except Sundays[7] ·         Good Friday ·         Holy Saturday ·         Ember Days ·         Vigil of Pentecost ·         Vigil of Christmas
59+	No fasting required.

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[1] Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution Pænitemini (On Fast and Abstinence), February 17, 1966.

[2] Or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference.

[3] The National Conference of Catholic Bishops (USA) in their pastoral statement of November 18, 1966 determined the following: “Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain from the eating of meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent. They are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended. Abstinence from flesh meat on all Fridays of the year is especially recommended to individuals and to the Catholic community as a whole.”

[4] Unless a Solemnity should fall on a Friday.

[5] Except on holy days of obligation outside of Lent.

[6] “The paschal fast must be kept sacred. It should be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday, and where possible should be prolonged throughout Holy Saturday so that the faithful may attain the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection with uplifted and responsive minds.” Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy), §109.

[7] Except also Class I feasts (e.g., St. Joseph – March 19; Annunciation of the Lord – March 25).