Fasting and the Catholic Church

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It seems that the Orthodox has more fasting days than the Catholic Church? Why did the Catholic Church do away with a lot of the fasts or the early Church, while did the Orthodox retain them?

For instance Catholics fasted on all Wednesdays and Fridays from eating meat but not anymore. It seems the Catholic Church doesn’t really put a lot of emphasis on fasting anymore and how it is a great discipline to do.
 
The Eastern Catholic Churches have the same fasting days as the Orthodox. So its only the Latin Church that has really “softened” on the fasting rules. But I think this is because the Latin Church wants to legislate a minimum, and have each individual seek more. The issue here is because it is a legislation, a law, so it has to be the minimum so people who can’t do more won’t be breaking the law. The East’s approach is to give full ideal, then with oikonomia, have the priests or individually deal with each person and cater to their needs and situations. In the East, not doing the full fasting requirements is not a sin as its not a break in the laws of the Church. But it is seen as missing out on what is spiritually beneficial to someone.
 
Fox said:
It seems that the Orthodox has more fasting days than the Catholic Church? Why did the Catholic Church do away with a lot of the fasts or the early Church, while did the Orthodox retain them?

For instance Catholics fasted on all Wednesdays and Fridays from eating meat but not anymore. It seems the Catholic Church doesn’t really put a lot of emphasis on fasting anymore and how it is a great discipline to do.
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Hi Fox,

I am in total agreement with you. I decided that it was a really nice discipline and have restarted fasting on Fridays myself I have been doing it for last 5-6 months or so. I think if I am not mistaken, that even if you don’t fast you are still supposed to do some sort of required penance or sacrifice on Friday’s anyway even in the Latin Rite.
 
DJK100 said:
Hi Fox,

I am in total agreement with you. I decided that it was a really nice discipline and have restarted fasting on Fridays myself I have been doing it for last 5-6 months or so. I think if I am not mistaken, that even if you don’t fast you are still supposed to do some sort of required penance or sacrifice on Friday’s anyway even in the Latin Rite.
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Except if its a feast day 👍
 
I think that one of the reasons behind reducing the amount of required fasting was that for many in the Third World, what we can eat on a “fast” day is more than they eat on a daily basis.

It is still the teachings of the Church that the faithful should make some sort of sacrifice or pentitential act on Fridays. I’m about to get my home redecorated so everything is packed up so I can’t quote the exact phrasing, sorry!

I find doing something I may not enjoy in order to help another far more penitential than not eating for a day, 😛
 
Many of us can rarely afford meat. Or fish. Many pensioners cannot afford much more than very basic food.

Health issues and age mean that I am not allowed to fast, but someone pointed out that my usual diet was often less than what is allowed on fast days/

It does seem a large amount of food is allowed? Maybe we eat less in Ireland than in the US?

I enjoy very simple food in small quantities and never eat what most would call a full meal.
 
I have been giving this much thought and prayer lately.

From what I have read, the pre-concilliar fasts and abstinences may still be followed. In fact, they are highly recommended as due penitential acts.

For example, next week Sept 21, 23 and 24 are Ember days. We may Fast and Partial Abstinence on 21st and 24th. 23rd would be abstinence day.

For myself, I am going to give this a try. My desire is for greater reparation and ability to stay recollected in Christ.
 
This is one of many issues that traditional Catholics have with the post Vatican II liberal modern Church. Many people still follow the old pre-Vatican II teachings which would not only include fasting on certain days but fasting from midnight the night before you receive the Eucharist, attending the TLM, and many other teachings that were “softened” or completely done away with after Vatican II. Fasting is a very commendable practice and can teach us moderation in many other areas of our life.
 
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