nwicatholic.com >> Community>>Lenten Guidelines/Fasting

The following guidelines are from the diocesan Office of Worship.  Questions regarding fast and abstinence should be directed to Kristopher Seaman at (219) 769-9292, Ext. 226 or email: kseaman@dcgary.org

Your guidelines for
Lenten fast and abstinence
 

Fasting
The Paschal Fast:
"The Paschal Fast must be kept sacred. It should be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday, and where possible should be prolonged throughout Holy Saturday"(Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #110)

The Paschal Fast is a fast of anticipation. The observance of this most ancient fast is a solemn way to prepare ourselves for the reception of the Easter Communion.

Good Friday Through Holy Saturday
These days are marked by fasting and by abstinence from meat. Please note that these days are not part of Lent or the Lenten fast.

Abstinence
Abstinence is to be practiced by all Catholics who are 14 years of age or older. Abstinence is practiced on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent.

Ash Wednesday: This day is observed by fasting and abstinence.
Lenten Fridays: These days are marked by the discipline of abstinence from meat.

Traditional abstinence is the practice of refraining from meat and meat products.

Entering fully into the spirit of the Lenten fast, we are also encouraged to abstain from other foods, practices or activities.  The Lenten fast is one of penance.  Our self-denial is a way of emphasizing our dependence on God.

Failure to observe individual days of penance is not considered serious.  However, failure to observe a substantial number or all of the penitential days during Lent must be considered serious.

Those under the age of 14
Fasting and abstinence are not always possible for the younger members of the community.  However, they should be encouraged to observe the spirit of the Lenten fast by assuming a penance appropriate to their age.

Those age 18 - 59 years old
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who have celebrated with 18th birthday and who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.

Age 59 years and older
Those who have celebrated their 59th birthday are welcome to share with the community in the practice of fasting.  However, they should take appropriate care regarding their personal health conditions.

How we do it
In the customary fast, those who are bound by this may take only one full meal.  Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

In the fast of the early Church, the fast began upon rising.  No meals were taken until the customary work day ended at approximately 5 p.m. A glass of juice may be taken in the morning and simple liquids during the day, e.g., water, coffee, tea.  The fast ends with a brief prayer, followed by an adequate meal.  For many this may work as a more natural way to fast.

Why we do it
When we fast and abstain, we do it together. The practice of the Lenten fast and Paschal fast is a practice of the whole community. Though the fast is carried out personally, we are united in our action through Jesus Christ. Our united fast and abstinence are our prayers to the Father through Jesus. Those who have already celebrated their 59th birthday are welcome to share with the community in these practices. However, they should take appropriate care regarding their personal health.

Our actions speak louder than our words. Both personally and as a community we deliberately place ourselves in need (hunger being the most basic need) so that we can discover that for which we hunger spiritually in our lives and in our world. We do this to give concrete expression to our trust in God to give us the spiritual sustenance we require. Our joint action is intended to strengthen our deep belief that the God who raised Jesus from the dead also fills our every need.

The "General Norms for the Liturgical Year" instructs:
"The season of Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter.  The liturgy prepares the catechumens for the celebration of the paschal mystery by the several stages of Christian initiation; it also prepares the faithful, who recall their baptism and do penance in preparation for Easter." (#27)

By the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the Church observes Lent from Ash Wednesday until the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday.  All of the faithful and the catechumens should undertake serious practice of these three traditions.

Other Recommendations
Penance as preparation for Triduum: The sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) is an important part of the faithful’s preparation for the celebration of the Easter mysteries. Ample opportunities should be provided for the celebration of this sacrament. Rite II of the sacrament is recommended and may be done more than once, if necessary. Successful and well-attended celebrations of Rite II stem from careful preparation of the rite with quality music and thoughtful preaching. However, Rite II is prohibited during the Triduum.

Sacraments of initiation: Lent prepares us for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. This orientation is evident in the historical development of Lent as a season and in the scriptures proclaimed in the liturgies of this season. Lent is a preparation for the baptism/full initiation of the catechumens and a renewal of baptism by the faithful. Therefore the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism during Lent becomes somewhat incongruous. It is certainly inappropriate to celebrate adult baptism, except in danger of death, during Lent. The baptism of infants is also far more fitting on Easter and during the Easter season. 

In 1966, the U.S. bishops, in their statement on penitential observances, noted:
"[On] weekdays of Lent, we strongly recommend participation in daily Mass and self-imposed observance of fasting.  In the light of grave human needs which weigh on the Christian conscience in all seasons, we urge -- particularly during Lent -- generosity to local, national, and world programs of sharing of all things needed to translate our duty to penance into means of implementing the right of the poor to their part of our abundance."