Fasting after Vatican II

[weirdcatholic]

I have been reading Iota Unum (a book about Vatican II) and I’d agree with what the author is saying in terms of fasting. Fasting seems to have fallen to the wayside in the Church. And yet it is something that is so vital and important to battling the terrible demons and evil influences in our society as well as growing as Christians. Heck, even Jesus mentions a demon in scriptures that didn’t go away without prayer and fasting. What do you think? :compcoff:

 

[GangGreen]

Fasting is very important and I wish it would be “pushed” more. Unfortunately, for me living in an Italian home with Italian parents it’s almost impossible to skip a meal without getting harassed about it .

I typically try to do it on Fridays and skip breakfast and lunch and then eat dinner and that’s it. I think that the rules for fasting are pretty lax these days, though. Sure it still “counts,” but someone can eat two small meals and one big meal and never even feel hungry during the day. However, the bare minimum shouldn’t be enough for us. We’re supposed to suffer when fasting and if you’re physically able to do it, then you should try to eat as little as possible if not at all.

That’s my two cents anyway.

 

[maryjk]

Fasting is very important and I wish it would be “pushed” more. Unfortunately, for me living in an Italian home with Italian parents it’s almost impossible to skip a meal without getting harassed about it .

I have a problem fasting from food. I don’t eat and I have been known to pass out.

So instead, I try to fast from others things. Stuff like TV, my computer, or other stuff.

Fasting doesn’t have to be about food.

 

[balto]

So instead, I try to fast from others things. Stuff like TV, my computer, or other stuff.

Fasting doesn’t have to be about food.

I usually do the same thing (because I’m not really a food person and it doesn’t bother me as much). The interesting thing is that, although abstinence from meat on Fridays in the USA is no longer required except during Lent, we still have to perform some kind of penance on Fridays. I’ve only known about that rule for about a year now and I was raised Catholic . I definitely agree with the OP that we should encourage more fasting and penance in general.

 

[Lormar]

I have been reading Iota Unum (a book about Vatican II) and I’d agree with what the author is saying in terms of fasting. Fasting seems to have fallen to the wayside in the Church. And yet it is something that is so vital and important to battling the terrible demons and evil influences in our society as well as growing as Christians. Heck, even Jesus mentions a demon in scriptures that didn’t go away without prayer and fasting. What do you think? :compcoff:

Good book! I’ve read it several times.

 

[weirdcatholic]

I think fasting (not necessarily food always) has lost its mainstay in the Church. It something that we should be doing year round to spiritually strengthen ourselves, be it from TV, media, food, whatever. Fasting I believe helps one build up in virtue and strengthens one.