Fasting and Abstinence

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Hi everyone. I need a bit of help with something. I’m currently experiencing a bit of a ‘‘dark night of the soul’’. I haven’t been to Mass in almost 2 months now, haven’t confessed in years. I have decided to fast and pray as often as possible to try and overcome this. My question regards the ‘‘black fast’’, is that fast still valid? does it border on self harm and if so is it permissable as a tool to overcome this problem? Thanks in advance
Peter

P.S any other suggestions to help me regain my faith would be greatly appreciated. It isn’t that I don’t believe, it just seems to me to be sloth to the extreme when it comes to practicing the faith (God forgive me).
 
go to confession, call for an appointment today, tomorrow, earliest opportunity, and go to Mass this Sunday and every Sunday from now on. This will help far more than fasting. Fast if you like to help you combat whatever was keeping you from the sacraments, but that is not your number one spiritual need at this time.
 
puzzleannie said:
go to confession, call for an appointment today, tomorrow, earliest opportunity, and go to Mass this Sunday and every Sunday from now on. This will help far more than fasting. Fast if you like to help you combat whatever was keeping you from the sacraments, but that is not your number one spiritual need at this time.
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Thanks I’ll do that as soon as possible. I had no idea that by going to Mass without confessing my sins I was just digging my self deeper into trouble. I intend to go to daily Mass once I’ve confessed. If i genuinely don’t remember all of my sins but am sorry for everything that offended God, are those sins also forgiven or will they count against me?
 
I myself was very confused about what the dark night of the soul was. With all the current coverage of Bl. M. Theresa I think I have a better idea of what it entails. I originally thought that my relationship with God was like this but, then realized that the type of dryness I have is due to my sin.

Since you are not going to mass or confession, my guess is that we are in the same dry boat. I go to mass every day I am obligated but my prayer seems dry. I try to go as far as I can with my fasting. I need to remove sin from my life a good way to do this is more frequent confession. I currently go every few months(hmm…'bout due now).

I am not nearly holy enough for a dark night. It is a special gift I’d say somewhere between physical and the stimata. Please take this as ecouragement, that is my intent

Let us strive there together:thumbsup:
 
OK I also had no idea that the dark night of the soul was a special gift for the holy, in that case that isn’t what I’m having :o . Mike what you have said is much closer to my problem, thank you.
 
LDNCatholic said:
Thanks I’ll do that as soon as possible. I had no idea that by going to Mass without confessing my sins I was just digging my self deeper into trouble. I intend to go to daily Mass once I’ve confessed. If i genuinely don’t remember all of my sins but am sorry for everything that offended God, are those sins also forgiven or will they count against me?
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You can go to Mass and hear God’s Word. Do not however receive communion until after you have made your confession.
At many Masses, you can approach the altar with your hands crossed over your chest and receive a blessing until able to receive communion.
 
LDNCatholic said:
Hi everyone. I need a bit of help with something. I’m currently experiencing a bit of a ‘‘dark night of the soul’’. I haven’t been to Mass in almost 2 months now, haven’t confessed in years. I have decided to fast and pray as often as possible to try and overcome this. My question regards the ‘‘black fast’’, is that fast still valid? does it border on self harm and if so is it permissable as a tool to overcome this problem? Thanks in advance
Peter
QUOTE]

The Black fast is no longer part of Church requirements or teachings. I would not suggest trying it out until you have had complete physical checkup and talked it over THOROUGHLY with a Spiritual Director. It is indeed unhealthy by today’s standards.

For most Catholics, and especially for those who have not practiced fasting for some time, today’s standards are more then enough. One moderate meal, and two smaller snacks not adding up to the amount of food in the moderate meal.

If properly done, your fasting should leave you hungry at times, but never weak, debilitated, or unable to function normally.

Anything more then this should be cleared with a Spiritual Director, remembering at all times that your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit, and not to be damaged.
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LDNCatholic said:
Thanks I’ll do that as soon as possible. I had no idea that by going to Mass without confessing my sins I was just digging my self deeper into trouble. I intend to go to daily Mass once I’ve confessed. If i genuinely don’t remember all of my sins but am sorry for everything that offended God, are those sins also forgiven or will they count against me?
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Sins that you genuinely don’t remember are still forgiven - don’t hold back on what you DO remember, though.

And yes, every Sunday you miss Mass is a further mortal sin and it does indeed make it harder to break the hold of sin over you.

Confession does help greatly - every two weeks is probably the ideal, or weekly if you feel so inclined. We are obliged, on pain of further sin again, to confess at least once a year, ideally during the Lent/Easter season. But don’t worry if you didn’t know that already.
 
Saint_Gemma said:
What is the black fast?
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From my Irish family, I always heard that it was limited to drinking black tea. One might expand that to include black coffee. Probably harmless for 24 hours, but I would want medical advice before going longer.
 
This is one of those rare instances where I think I have good advice.

First, go to confession as soon as possible.
Second, don’t miss Sunday Mass.
Third, Get and read this book: Question-Answer-Catholic-Catechism Read it and it’ll help ya.

Aftre that I get confused again :confused: 😛 😉
 
LDNCatholic said:
Thanks . I had no idea that by going to Mass without confessing my sins I was just digging my self deeper into trouble. I ?
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I don’t believe that is what I said.

anyone may attend Mass even if they have unconfessed mortal sins, that does not remove their obligation to attend Mass. What one cannot do in that state is receive communion, however one may make a spiritual communion, and share in the graces of the Mass, and benefit from them to the extent they will prompt one to return to the sacraments. never mind your intentions for future actions after you confess, confess now, do not delay, and enjoy that bliss and peace that Christ has waiting for you in this sacrament.
 
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