Ash Wednesday- again

[rkberlin]

Peace to all of you!
Mary 1973 just posted a question on the fast, i have an additional question to that ( well, it’s 2 actually ):
From what age on is the fasting required? I have an 8 and an 11 year old. And, I have a heart condition, so i need to eat in between meals, for meds, to avoid palpitations, etc. I’ve done full fasting in the past ( wasn’t too much fun, I almost passed out ) and I’d like to as much as possible, but how much is enough? Thanks

 

[paramedicgirl]

rkberlin:

Peace to all of you!
Mary 1973 just posted a question on the fast, i have an additional question to that ( well, it’s 2 actually ):
From what age on is the fasting required? I have an 8 and an 11 year old. And, I have a heart condition, so i need to eat in between meals, for meds, to avoid palpitations, etc. I’ve done full fasting in the past ( wasn’t too much fun, I almost passed out ) and I’d like to as much as possible, but how much is enough? Thanks

Here are the US requirements, which are the same in Canada. I noticed you are in Germany. You might want to check to see if they are different there.

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.

Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.

Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.

 

[LilyM]

Please talk to your doctor about whether you should fast at all - you don’t want to put your health at risk. Maybe your pastor as well.

 

[1ke]

rkberlin:

Peace to all of you!
Mary 1973 just posted a question on the fast, i have an additional question to that ( well, it’s 2 actually ):
From what age on is the fasting required? I have an 8 and an 11 year old. And, I have a heart condition, so i need to eat in between meals, for meds, to avoid palpitations, etc. I’ve done full fasting in the past ( wasn’t too much fun, I almost passed out ) and I’d like to as much as possible, but how much is enough? Thanks

You should do what you can do, and not worry about the rest. The guideline is “according to need”, so you are the one who can gauge that.

Fasting applies to those 18 - 59 and abstinence from meat those over 14 with the following exclusions:

Those who are excused from fast or abstinence Besides those outside the age limits, those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need, guests at a meal who cannot excuse themselves without giving great offense or causing enmity and other situations of moral or physical impossibility to observe the penitential discipline.

(taken from the EWTN website)

 

[rkberlin]

Thanks to all of your answers. I don’t have a problem with abstaining from meat at all, just the “one full meal only” notion. I figure I’ll do as best as I can, and just try and eat a little less. Since I’m meeting with the priest tomorrow anyway ( for confession ), I’ll ask him while I’m at it. Have a blessed Ash Wednesday everyone!

1ke:

You should do what you can do, and not worry about the rest. The guideline is “according to need”, so you are the one who can gauge that.

Fasting applies to those 18 - 59 and abstinence from meat those over 14 with the following exclusions:

Those who are excused from fast or abstinence Besides those outside the age limits, those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need, guests at a meal who cannot excuse themselves without giving great offense or causing enmity and other situations of moral or physical impossibility to observe the penitential discipline.

(taken from the EWTN website)

 

[wcknight]

It is almost always safe to say that folks who have health problems are excluded from the fasting and abstinence requirements. And I’m sure the Lord appreciates any gesture or sacrifice you make, just don’t put your health needlessly at risk.