Fasting for penance

[cviolette]

Are you allowed to take pills that are not needed for medical reasons on a fast day? I fasted last week for penance and took some pills (legal) to help with energy. Was that okay?

 

[houston1]

Are you allowed to take pills that are not needed for medical reasons on a fast day? I fasted last week for penance and took some pills (legal) to help with energy. Was that okay?

My understanding is that taking medication does not break a fast. Also, since your fast was voluntary, you are not bound by technical rules.

Good for you for fasting. God bless you.

houston1

 

[cviolette]

Thanks Houston1. That is a relief. It was not voluntary. It was penance for my confession.

 

[thistle]

Thanks Houston1. That is a relief. It was not voluntary. It was penance for my confession.

Are you saying that as a penance the priest told you to fast. That would be most unusual because the priest is not a doctor and would have no way of knowing if you were medically fit enough to fast.

 

[BVM_1221]

Are you allowed to take pills that are not needed for medical reasons on a fast day? I fasted last week for penance and took some pills (legal) to help with energy. Was that okay?

I would think so. I am a member of the Confraternity of Penitents, and one of out rules is…

8c. The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.

…so taking an energy pill to avoid being debilitated, drowsy, or ill would be OK for us. In my case, being 66 years old and not required to fast, I fast under the strict supervision of my Physician. (She happens to be 7th Day Adventist )

 

[cviolette]

Are you saying that as a penance the priest told you to fast. That would be most unusual because the priest is not a doctor and would have no way of knowing if you were medically fit enough to fast.

Yes - the priest told me to fast for my penance after confession but asked me if I had a medical problems that would not allow me to fast. And explained that I could eat two small meals and one regular meal. And fasting is not a problem for me. I can go a day without eating anything. Lately I have to force myself to eat.

 

[cviolette]

I would think so. I am a member of the Confraternity of Penitents, and one of out rules is…

8c. The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.

…so taking an energy pill to avoid being debilitated, drowsy, or ill would be OK for us. In my case, being 66 years old and not required to fast, I fast under the strict supervision of my Physician. (She happens to be 7th Day Adventist )

I would not be debilitated, drowsy or ill without the pills. I take them for energy for my workouts at the gym. I skipped my pre workout drink and post workout drink since they have calories but still took my lifting supplements.

 

[thistle]

Yes - the priest told me to fast for my penance after confession but asked me if I had a medical problems that would not allow me to fast. And explained that I could eat two small meals and one regular meal. And fasting is not a problem for me. I can go a day without eating anything. Lately I have to force myself to eat.

Okay. So you don’t actually have a problem fasting, fasting meaning one normal meal and two small meals which together do not exceed one normal meal.
Then your only question is about taking medication. Taking medication does NOT break a fast.