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S_V7
Guest
Is is or is it not ok to break a fast when offered food or drink in someone elses house?
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CarrieH
Guest
I guess it would depend on why you are fasting. If you are fasting because it is one of the required fast days of the Church, I would politely decline whatever was offered, and if my host/hostess was insistent upon serving me something, I would ask for a cup of tea or a cup of black coffee, which wouldn’t break my fast. And since whoever was trying to get me to eat would probably not be Catholic, this would be a good opportunity for me to share my faith. 
In the event that I was fasting as a personal devotion or penance, I would accept the food or drink in order to avoid offending my host/ess, and I would substitute some other form of penance that day, or choose another day to fast in order to “make up” for breaking my fast. :twocents:
In the event that I was fasting as a personal devotion or penance, I would accept the food or drink in order to avoid offending my host/ess, and I would substitute some other form of penance that day, or choose another day to fast in order to “make up” for breaking my fast. :twocents:
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thistle
Guest
Remember that abstinence and fasting are not the same. We are only required to fast on two days in a year: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I don’t think its too much to expect to stick to the fast even if you are in someone else’s house. If they are not Catholic you simply point out you are required to fast.
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CuriousInIL
Guest
So it is okay to offend your host/ess on required fast days?I guess it would depend on why you are fasting. If you are fasting because it is one of the required fast days of the Church, I would politely decline whatever was offered, and if my host/hostess was insistent upon serving me something, I would ask for a cup of tea or a cup of black coffee, which wouldn’t break my fast. And since whoever was trying to get me to eat would probably not be Catholic, this would be a good opportunity for me to share my faith.
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puzzleannie
Guest
if it is one of the mandatory fasting days of the Church (there are only 2) no, you simply say, no thank you.
If it is a self-imposed fast, do what seems best and most charitable. People say know all the time because they have allergies, are on diets, diabetic. a good host should accept a “no thank you” without feeling offended. there is no need to offer a reason or explanation. Let’s practice boys and girls, saying:
No, thank you.
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StCsDavid
Guest
I’m struggling with what is so offensive about saying, “No, thank you” or “Just some water would be fine, thanks.”
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puzzleannie
Guest
if the host does not understand the rules of etiquette, and won’t accept a “no thank you” that is not your problem, no really hospitable host would be offended.
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mommyof4
Guest
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daeve
Guest
If you’re concerned about offending someone by refusing food or drink on days you’re fasting, don’t go places where you’ll be offered food or drink on days you’re fasting.
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CarrieH
Guest
You never met my grandmother!
Some hosts/hostesses can be very pushy when it comes to food. It is their breach of etiquette if they persist after the guest says “no, thank you,” but that doesn’t make it any easier when they start laying the guilt-trip on you, taking it as a personal rejection if you refuse their offer of food. And oftentimes matters of etiquette which would apply for outsiders go out the window when it comes to family. This could be especially problematic for converts such as myself, coming from a background where there were no requirements for fasting or abstinence. It’s a good thing I wasn’t yet Catholic when we would make the 6-hour drive to see her for Easter weekend, because we would arrive on Good Friday, and she’d have a feast waiting for us! 
I can just hear her: “Whaddya mean, you’re not going to eat that? After I spent all afternoon in the kitchen? C’mon now, you used to eat like a horse on Good Friday, so what difference does it make now, just because you turned Catholic? A little bit won’t hurt you.” blah blah blah Ah well, Grammy has been gone for a good long time now, may she rest in peace, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who comes from a family of food-pushers. If she were still with us, I’d just have to make the trip on Saturday instead.
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daeve
Guest
As a lifelong dieter/diabetic, I do understand. Someone is always saying a little bit won’t hurt you. If I’m really pressed I sometimes say, “I know you’re just kidding because you certainly wouldn’t want me to get sick.” I find it easier to avoid those situations.You never met my grandmother!
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IvanKaramozov
Guest
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