Rules for Abstinence and Fasting:
A Christian Duty
“Moreover when ye fast, be
not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto
men to fast. Verily I say unto
you, they have their reward. But
thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear
not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father,
which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
St. Matthew
6:16-18
+ Abstinence - No flesh meats on Fridays until the 9th
hour,
except if Christmas or Epiphany
should fall on a Friday,
and any Friday between them.
Some also abstain on Wednesdays
during Advent and Lent, and Saturdays.
except if Christmas or Epiphany
should fall on a Friday,
and any Friday between them.
Some also abstain on Wednesdays
during Advent and Lent, and Saturdays.
[types
of food]
+ Fasting - A simple breakfast, a full mid-day meal,
and a very limited late meal,
and a very limited late meal,
during
the forty days of Lent.
[amounts
of food]
+ Combined - Combining fasting with abstinence,
Ember Days and Fridays in Lent.
Ember Days and Fridays in Lent.
+ Excused - Those who cannot or should not choose
their own food, because of situation,
health, or development.
their own food, because of situation,
health, or development.
+ Devotional Fasts - Christmas Eve, Vigil of Pentecost,
Vigil of All Saints
Vigil of All Saints
[Easter
eve is a Lenten day fast]
+ Eucharistic Fast - The Blessed Sacrament should be
the first food of the day.
Take no food or drink from midnight
until the Eucharist is complete.
Be reasonable, and do not endanger
anyone or self.
For evening Masses fast from Noon.
the first food of the day.
Take no food or drink from midnight
until the Eucharist is complete.
Be reasonable, and do not endanger
anyone or self.
For evening Masses fast from Noon.
In Christ's love, Fr. Robert Pax
