1959 Catholic Family Handbook and VII

[JAGCath28]

I was looking for the Catholic Family Handbook written by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik on the internet. The first result was the 1959 Handbook which is in the EWTN library. I started reading through some of it. Did a lot of these practices get removed or “reduced” during Vatican II? For example, it mentioned how the family should fast 3 hours before Mass especially alcoholic beverages, all other beverages (coffee, tea, milk, etc.) just an hour and then water can be consumed at all times. Another example is the fasting/abstaining during Lent. You had to fast/abstain everyday except Sundays, but now only on Ash Wednesday and Friday. I’m a convert so I don’t understand or know the whole history behind Vatican II so please pardon my ignorance. I see these types of customs in the 1959 Handbook as “hard”, but at the same time a great way to grow spiritually. Why were they reduced/removed to where they are today?

Blessings,

Jessica

 

[AJV]

Yes the fast was mitigated in 1964 to the current 1 hour fast of today. The 3 hour fast was itself a mitigation from the earlier rule of fasting from midnight (and no water was allowed).

The revised rules on fasting followed Paul VI’s Apostolic Constitution, Paenitemini. Different norms were decided on by each Episcopal Conference. The rules you posted, were themselves different from the universal and were specifically for the United States. Again, this was itself the result of easing of fasting restrictions under St. Pius X and Benedict XV.

 

[JAGCath28]

Oh! So the rules I mentioned (from 1959) were easier than say rules in other countries? That is interesting! Sometimes you forget that there is life outside of the US. hahha…

 

[ac_claire]

Great book though. My DH (when he was still my fiance) bought me Fr. Lovasik’s Catholic Family Handbook when we got engaged. It’s still something I reach for every now and then. The advice is timeless.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I remember when water was removed from the prohibition. A religious order priest told us his theory for the reason for the change. When he went out to help parishes on Sundays the pastor always provided them with dinner Saturday night, and it was always salt pork.
Then he gave them the last mass Sunday morning. He claimed that someone fed the Pope salt pork for dinner Saturday night and then stuck him with the last mass Sunday. He claimed that the Pope ruled on the spot that water did not break the fast.