Does Coffee with creamer break Lenten fast?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MaryV
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
That’s fine. I believe avoiding dairy might be for Eastern rite Catholics. Im not sure.
 
It’s nice to give money to charity, but in this case could it be more than a few cents worth of money saved?
 
F_Marturana said:
It’s nice to give money to charity, but in this case could it be more than a few cents worth of money saved?
Click to expand...
I’d say there is no money saved at all. Nobody buys cream and sugar individually for each cup of coffee. You aren’t saving anything since you already purchased your supply for home use or its no additional charge if you buy a cup at the store. If anything it makes your current supply last longer by one cup.
 
F_Marturana said:
It’s nice to give money to charity, but in this case could it be more than a few cents worth of money saved?
Click to expand...
Every little bit helps.

Besides, no one said giving up things you love for Lent is easy. It’s not supposed to be. It used to be a LOT harder than it is now. We have it too easy, imo.

This is a time to become more aware and grow closer to Jesus who gave us the greatest gift, Himself.

Is it really so much to sacrifice our earthly pleasures and conveniences for the duration of Lent when He gave Himself for us?

Sacrificing that daily cup of coffee or switching to decaf isn’t that much really when you stop to think that there are many in Third World countries who don’t even have the basic necessities.

We are so blessed to live in such abundance. We are also in a position to share our time, talents and treasure with those who aren’t as blessed.

Lent helps us focus on others instead of ourselves. We are to see Jesus in everyone. As we do so, we grow closer to Him. And He, in turn, grows in us.
 
F_Marturana said:
I believe avoiding dairy might be for Eastern rite Catholics. Im not sure.
Click to expand...
It is. The strictness though varies by archeparchy, though. For example, for those of us in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh we avoid meat, dairy, and eggs on Pure Monday (1st day of the fast) and Great and Holy Friday. On Wednesdays and all other Fridays, we are required to abstain from meat only. In other locations, they follow the strict abstinence throughout the Great Fast.
 
So we can drink beer but not a milkshake or coffee creamer? Unbelievable!? Who makes this distinction?
 
You can have creamer in your coffee without breaking the fast at all, but a milkshake is out unless it’s one of your “meals”.
 
Lifeisbeautiful3 said:
So we can drink beer but not a milkshake or coffee creamer? Unbelievable!? Who makes this distinction?
Click to expand...
You can have coffee creamer. That’s fine, unless you’re an Eastern Catholic. As for beer, it’s allowed because centuries ago when it was dangerous to drink water, people drank beer instead. In fact there were monks who would consume nothing but beer over Lent as a beer fast. Milkshakes, on the other hand, have no such history and are also made of ice cream, which is a food and not a beverage.
 
Last edited:
Fuerza said:
You can have creamer in your coffee without breaking the fast at all, but a milkshake is out unless it’s one of your “meals”.
Click to expand...
No milkshakes but an IPA is okay - doesn’t that strike you as a little bit crazy??
 
Others have explained why it has been allowed.

But basically fluid is allowed. Melted food, like milkshakes, is not.
 
maryjk said:
Others have explained why it has been allowed.

But basically fluid is allowed. Melted food, like milkshakes, is not.
Click to expand...
I’m not questioning whether the interpretation is accurate.

Just asking whether you think it makes sense that sitting in a pub with beer is acceptable while a glass of chocolate milk isn’t?
 
Lifeisbeautiful3 said:
Just asking whether you think it makes sense that sitting in a pub with beer is acceptable while a glass of chocolate milk isn’t?
Click to expand...
Both are allowed. Beer and chocolate milk.

Liquid is allowed.

Food is not.

That, to me, makes sense.

In fact, for me, since I am not suppose to fast, milk is a good way to “keep the fast,” but to also follow my doctor’s orders.
 
I gathered that dairy was perfectly acceptable anyway, at least in the Latin Church. So long as you observed the rules of fast on Ash Wednesday, then dairy products are fine.

I was exempt from the fast as I am not 18 for about 18 months. But abstinence from meat (which dairy is not) is obligatory for Catholics 14 years and older, but fasting only for Catholics aged 18-59 (60?).
 
But don’t you guys have that available year round? It almost seems like it wouldnt be a big deal to give up, and therefore not something to avoid because it is not meat and not a big treat necessarily.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top