Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Many people have questions each year about the regulations regarding fast and abstinence. Let me address them here as a reminder for you.
Ash Wednesday is a Day of Fast and Abstinence.
The Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence.
Good Friday is a Day of Fast and Abstinence.
Fast: Allows for only one full meal to be taken during the day. Two smaller meals are permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to one’s needs. The two smaller meals, combined, should be less than the one full meal taken. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are 18 years of age through to those who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.
[Medical conditions may make it impossible to fast. The Church has never held its people to the impossible. If you have a condition that prohibits you from fasting, you are not obliged to do so.]
Abstinence: The practice of refraining from meat and meat products. Abstinence is to be practiced by all who are 14 years of age and older.