Fast and Abstinence

Lent began on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, a day of ‘Fast and Abstinence’ but what does the Church require us to do and what do we mean by Fast and Abstinence?

Fasting is listed as one of the Precepts (the fifth) of the Church – (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC #2043). The precepts of the Church are duties that the Church requires of all the faithful. Also called the commandments of the Church, they are binding under pain of mortal sin, but the point is not to punish. As the Catechism explains, the binding nature “is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth of love of God and neighbour.” (CCC #2041 – 2043) If we follow these commands, we’ll know that we’re headed in the right direction spiritually.

The Church defines fasting as: “… having one normal meal during the day…, it is allowed to take a very light breakfast and a very light dinner if the principal meal is lunchtime; or a very light lunch if the principal heavy meal is done at night. During the rest of the day, one must not eat, taking into account that water and medication do not break the fast.”

Abstinence on the other hand entails the avoidance of meat and poultry on certain days throughout the year. There are certain days that are Fasting Days and other days that are Fasting and Abstinence. These days are called ‘Penitential Days’ “penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence…” (Code of Canon Law, CIC, # 1249). “Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.” (CIC # 1251)

“The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year.” (CIC 1252). On the other hand; “The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year…” (CIC 1252). Fasting in this manner is not required of those who for health or medical reasons should not fast. Perhaps we could fast from something else like television, our phone or our favourite snacks.

Why do we fast? We fast in the example of Jesus who spent 40 days in the desert (see Mark 1:12). We fast because all the saints tell us it is a vital spiritual tool: St. Augustine: “Fasting purifies the soul. It lifts up the mind, and it brings the body into subjection to the spirit. It makes the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of desire, puts out the flames of lust and enkindles the true light of chastity.” St Thomas Aquinas: “…For we fast for three purposes: to restrain the desires of the flesh; to raise the mind to contemplate sublime things; to make satisfaction for our sins. These are good and noble things, and so fasting is virtuous.” Our Lady, especially in Medjurgorje, has called us time and again to fast. Lent is blessing given to us to grow in our relationship with GOD and one another, a springtime of spiritual re-growth.