I’ve been writing on fairly heavy topics lately. To lighten things up, and to provide some timely information, I’d like to share a bit about the specifics of Lenten fasting. I can’t begin to estimate how many times that I have been asked about any one of these points, let alone them as a whole! Let’s begin!
You might know that changes to fasting requirements began with Pope Paul VI’s 1966 document, “Apostolic Constitution on Penance” (Poenitemini). Those changes made their way into the 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law, and the rest is history! To sum up those requirements, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. The U.S. bishops explain fasting as eating only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted once or twice a day as well. Abstinence, in the other hand, is the word that is used for not eating meat. Here is where the questions pop up! While you can’t eat meat, you can eat other animal products like eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat, like butter. You are also allowed to eat broth and sauces flavored with meat, just as long as the pieces of meat themselves, are removed and not consumed. Gelatin or Jell-O, while made with animal byproducts, are not considered to be meat either! (People often ask!) Remember, though, that illness or other factors may remove you from this obligation. Common sense, along with the discernment needed to make sure that you aren’t overdoing it needs to be taken into consideration as well.
It must be said that the obligation to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday, along with abstaining from meat on the other Fridays in Lent is a serious one. While serious, we should also remember that mistakes happen. For example, it isn’t a grave sin if you forgot what day it was, and didn’t remember until you took a bite of a salami sandwich. The point is to try your best! Set the sandwich aside as soon as you realize and move on. I encourage you, however, to avoid being flippant about this obligation. Fight the urge! It is good to remember that fasting and abstinence are Lenten practices that allow us to build the skills that are needed to gain mastery over ourselves. They provide us with the opportunity to develop virtues like fortitude and self-control. Lent is set aside as a time to grow in faith, so growing in these virtues is a great way to strive toward being the best version of ourselves as Christians.
