Fast days: Meal requirements?

[Naga]

I just learned that both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are considered “fast days,” as opposed to simply “abstinence days.” It is my understanding that fast days prescribe eating one normal meal, and two smaller meals that do not add up to one normal meal. However, I am having some confusion with the specifics of what this entails, and I am not sure if I am complying with them.

I’m not sure I understand what constitutes a “small meal,” nor am I sure how to “add up” the meals.

On a normal (i.e. non-fast) day, I generally only eat two meals. Breakfast generally consists of a bowl of bland cereal, and maybe some fruit. Dinner consists of a normal American dinner (a main course and 1-3 side dishes.)

By the standards of the other people in my family, my “normal” breakfast is already considered “small.” Then there is the fact that I generally don’t eat a lunch. So, for example, if I followed my “normal” routine today, I would be eating two “normal meals” by my standards, though others would likely consider it to be one normal meal and one small meal.

I just learned about these specifics, so I have already eaten my “normal” breakfast, and I had intended to eat a normal dinner tonight with my family. My concern is that due to the fact that these two meals would be considered “normal” to me, if I eat the dinner I had planned to eat, that I would be committing a mortal sin by not fasting today.

Can anyone provide me with some (name removed by moderator)ut or advice here?

 

[Digitonomy]

The Latin church does not make its fasting requirements exceptionally difficult. Instead, the idea seems to be to make the requirements achievable, so that most people will be able to follow the rules and more fully participate in this penitential season.

Just because you already meet the fasting requirements with your daily meal outside of Lent, that does not mean your are obligated to anything different during Lent.

At the same time, the Church does not require that you give up say your favorite TV show during Lent, but if you choose you are free to do so on your own initiative. So it is with additional fasting in your case - you can take on such a penance if you choose.

 

[KD8TZC]

I would just eat a smaller dinner and consider yourself okay. I have medical requirements so I have to eat but I try to make them smaller meals and things that I may not fully enjoy.

Here is a good page with some information that might be helpful:

catholic.org/clife/lent/abfast.php

God bless!

 

[Todd977]

I could be wrong but the calculation behind the fasting requirement seems to be aimed at reducing your total food intake for the day by more than a third. I think if this is applied to your situation that would mean, since you have already eaten a full breakfast today, eating less than half your usual amount at dinner.

 

[Isca]

This is my first Ash Wednesday as a Catholic, and it did strike me that as I normally eat less than I’d like to in order to control my weight, my normal meals are probably already smaller in calorific value than those other people might eat. I have eaten less than usual today and hope it meets the requirements.

I’l discuss it with our priest before Good Friday, as I want to do the best I can - but unfortunately, I can’t go for hours without eating, it makes me feel unwell.

 

[thistle]

I don’t understand why this is all so difficult. We don’t need to get out weighing scales or calorie counters.
We know how much we normally eat on a daily basis. Just cut down the quantity. How hard is that??

 

[Tonaw]

Far back in the history of the church people would fast on all days of lent and only have one meal. Also flesh meat, eggs, dairy and the like were also forbidden, even on Sundays. If you did fast and only partake of one meal I would suggest lots of prayer to sustain you. Adoration and Mass. You could also just have liquid meals, like smoothies or something. Smoothies leave enough lacking in the desirous appetite but still fills you enough to give energy to make it through the day. I can drink a lot of liquid though, Big gulps are nothin, my bladder must be abnormally large, lol.

 

[drforjc]

Jimmy Akin says that the 2 smaller meals not adding up to the full meal is not specified in the current fasting regulations, though it may have been previously. jimmyakin.org

So I guess it depends on approved local custom.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast. The law of fast binds those who are from 18 to 59 years old, unless they are excused for a sufficient reason (e.g., a medical condition that requires more frequent food, etc.).

According to the Church’s official rules (as opposed to someone’s personal summary of them):

The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom [Apostolic ConstitutionPaenitemini, Norms, III:2].

The system of mitigated fasting that is required by law thus allows for “one full meal” and “some food” in the morning and evening. The Church’s official document governing the practice of fasting does not encourage scrupulous calculations about how much the two instances of “some food” add up to, though obviously each individually is less than a full meal, since only one of those is allowed.

 

[spes_salvi]

I have a question about the Lenten fasting and abstinence.

Suppose the clock strikes 12am. Can I begin eating meat or finish the fast already?

 

[Digitonomy]

I have a question about the Lenten fasting and abstinence.

Suppose the clock strikes 12am. Can I begin eating meat or finish the fast already?

The law is the law. So in theory, if you work the night shift, you could pig out before your 9pm shift starts, have a small meal when you get off at 5, sleep from 6am to 2, eat a big meal and a small meal between 2pm and 9, and then have a feast at your lunch break at 1am.

I suspect most would choose to be a bit more expansive in their observation of a fast.