Fasting vs. Abstinence

Fasting and abstinence are obligatory practices during Lent, according to the following guidelines:

Fasting
When: Ash Wednesday & Good Friday
Who: Adults between 18 & 59
What: You may eat one full meal, plus two smaller meals, which together do not equal one full meal

Abstinence
When: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, & all Fridays in Lent
Who: Persons over age 14
What: You should not eat meat (any animal that lives on land, including birds). Fish,  dairy products, and eggs are permitted.

Almsgiving, Prayer, & Fasting: A Basic Guide to Lent

Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Thursday, is the principal season of penance in the liturgical year. All Christians are urged to follow a program of voluntary self-denial, serious prayer, and the performance of works of charity and mercy. 

The three Lenten devotions of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are mentioned by the Lord in the Gospel reading on Ash Wednesday, which is taken from Matthew, chapter six.

 

Almsgiving

No matter where you are in your stewardship journey, Lent is a time for seeking extra opportunities to share the love of Christ with those in need. The idea is to go above and beyond our regular giving; to discover, through charity, the touchstone of Peace within ourselves. If you're not already giving to the Church, please consider making an offertory contribution to your parish each Sunday during Lent.

 

 

Prayer

Prayer is the place where we grow our relationship with the living God. Communal prayer activities during Lent, such as Stations of the Cross, invite us to contemplate more fully our Lord's Passion and Death. Stations of the Cross will be offered in our cluster throughout Lent; click here to see more.

 

 

Fasting

Self-denial through fasting from food, which nourishes the body, invites us to pay attention to the ways in which Christ alone can nourish and satisfy our spirit. Christians may also choose to fast or abstain from activities, behaviors, or modern conveniences, such as the Internet, during Lent.

Persons with special health considerations, including the physically & mentally ill, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and expectant & nursing mothers, are excluded from the obligatory fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting and abstinence should follow the limits of reason. All Christians are encouraged to practice their penitential devotions of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, according to their common sense.