Fasting - what are the rules?

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I have a big intention and ask. So I am going to fast today for that intention. I plan to fast on Fridays for this intention.

I also have another big ask for a family member. Can I ask for this also so should I set aside Wednesday’s for fasting for this person? Can I have two intentions for one day of fasting, or would it be more powerful to have one intention per day of fasting? It’s a big ask for this person.

Last question…my ask is also a big one. I am happy to fast for as long as possible but realistically have long do people fast for? Every Friday of one month? Every Friday for six months? A year?

Thank you and God bless.
 
Or can I have 20 intentions for a day of fasting (as I could pray for dozens of things)? What are the rules?
 
Firstly you should seek medical advice on your health status before embarking on a Fasting program. And based on the medical results, then tailor a fasting plan for Fridays.
Its up to you really, how and why and for what intentions you fast if it is not a Catholic Fast day.
 
Aside from what is set out by the bishops as mandatory (I.e. Ash Wednesday and good Friday primarily), there are no rules and you can fast however you want for as many intentions as you like, as long as you do it safely and don’t do any extreme form of fasting (like no food for several days or something).
 
Yes, I am in early my thirties and very healthy. I plan on eating bread and drinking water on those days. I have dozens of intentions and if it’s not too cheeky, I will ask for help with them all
 
Lookingforanswers1 said:
So I am going to fast today for that intention.
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Today is a Fast free day…it’s a Solemnity in the Latin Church and in the Eastern Church it’s Bright Friday (unless you’re on the Julian Calendar in which case it’s Holy/Good Friday). The week following Easter is always Fast free. just a thought to keep in mind 🙂
 
Lookingforanswers1 said:
Last question…my ask is also a big one. I am happy to fast for as long as possible but realistically have long do people fast for? Every Friday of one month? Every Friday for six months? A year?
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As was stated earlier, there are fast-free times during the liturgical year. Other than that, at least in our Byzantine tradition, it is common to fast on Wednesday’s and Friday’s throughout the year.

Speak to your spiritual father. He will guide you on how often and for how long.

ZP
 
Most people on this forum are from the USA so here are the fasting rules for that country.

I would say that this season, Easter, is not the best time to be fasting. It’s a season of joy rather than one of penance and I’d certainly say not to fast during this week the Octave of Easter.
 
Regarding fasting for a private devotion, there are no “rules”. You can do whatever kind of a fast you want as long as it’s healthy for you and others (in other words, don’t do a fast that will cause you to lack alertness when you drive or operate heavy machinery as you might hurt others).
Checking with your doctor is a good idea.

You can do your fast for one intention or 200 intentions, whatever you like. It’s your devotion, it’s up to you.

Be aware that in the Latin church, we are not supposed to fast on Sundays, solemnities, or during the Octave of major feast days like Easter and Christmas. It’s not penitential time. However, it is up to you. I do a regular Monday fast and I decided to do it this week as usual rather than skip the Easter week.

If you are not used to fasting, I would recommend you only do one day at first until you get used to how it feels and the physical effects, which can differ person to person. It is difficult for me to fast more than one day a week because fasting makes me very tired and unproductive. I have occasionally fasted up to 4 days per week but that means a lot of stuff has to be put off or not done. It would obviously not work during a very busy work week, or a week when I had many family commitments or long drives scheduled.

Good luck.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I fasted today on oat cakes and water. I had begun the fast by the time I realised one isn’t required to fast the week after Easter but decided to stick with it.

I have had so many intentions and apart from the hunger, everything has worked out well. Relationships with family members has improved dramatically (not sure if that’s just my imagination).

It is hard though. I had planned to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays but I think I will only go with one day a week for the moment.

I fasted last Friday and food everywhere was so tempting and cruel to look at but surprisingly the temptations had totally waned by Saturday morning and I was not as interested in my breakfast or lunch.
 
Wow, four days a week is tough going. I really admire that. Prayer is so much stronger when fasting.
When fasting did you eat bread and drink water? Or did you have two small meals? Or did you tailor an individual plan to your needs/abilities?
 
I am diabetic and have been trying, with some success, fasting a few days a week. I don’t fast if I’m cycling, do other vigorous physical activity, have to be outdoors for an extended period in cool weather, or will be driving extensively; in reality, as I’m retired, this works out to about 2-3 days per week. I was able to get my blood sugar down without adding any medication, and I lost some weight, about 10 lbs. However on fast days I am much more lethargic, and I find I can’t tolerate the cold very well.

The Church defines a fast as two small meals which together do not add up to a full meal, and one normal meal, per day. I think that’s a healthy balance. In my case I essentially spread my breakfast over two meals. My normal weekday breakfast is a grapefruit, orange or orange juice, two slices of multi-grain toast with butter, yogurt and coffee. On fast days I have the citrus and the yogurt, with coffee, during breakfast, and the two toasts at lunch.

You could try the monastic fast, which is as per the Church definition, two very light meals/snacks and one full meal. Throughout the year they fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, and in Lent, they fast daily.

And as Tis_Bearself says there are certain days that are not appropriate for fasting.
TrueRomanCatholic said:
Longer without solids is extending the Grace you receive.
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No. There is nothing to support this in official Church teaching. Don’t impose burdens on others!
 
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First, speak to your doctor about what works for you. The following are just some examples of what I have done.

My typical one-day-a-week fast is bread (unlimited) and water until 6 pm, eat after 6 pm on the condition I say a rosary. This is an approved private devotion that other people in my area also practice (some of them reportedly do it 3 days a week). It is a tough fast for me even with unlimited bread, as I generally get tired. You are allowed to have vitamins or “a little fruit” or “whatever you need”. I typically have vitamins because I have anemia, but I do not have the fruit. I also do not do this fast more than 2 days a week (usually only just one) and I do definitely eat after 6 pm if I’m still awake; at times I have gotten so sleepy from the fast I fell asleep rather than get dinner. One way to make it more bearable for me is to eat a large iron-containing food, like a quarter-pounder hamburger, late in the evening of the night before the fast, like at 10 pm. The protein will stay in your system the next day.

Fr. Heilman had a “bread and juice” fast 2 or 3 days a week for one of his Nineveh 90 prayer programs. The juice makes it a bit easier than bread and water, as there is sugar in the juice.

When I have fasted 3 or 4 days a week, I normally do the bread and water fast till 6 pm on one day. Then the other days I will either do a normal Latin Rite Lent fast/ abstinence (2 small meals and One normal size meal, with no meat) or if I want something more penitential I do egg and grapefruit days which is 1/2 grapefruit with hardboiled egg for breakfast, same thing for lunch, and then a regular sized dinner after 6 pm with no meat.

There’s all sorts of fasting plans possible but the important thing is it works with your health. Fr. Heilman doesn’t use his own prayer programs’ fasting rules, he uses something from his doctor because he is under medical treatment. If you are diabetic or have anemia or something and you do the “wrong fast” you can knock yourself for a loop, also if you have never fasted and suddenly do an extreme fast you may find yourself feeling terribly ill. So be prepared.
 
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Lookingforanswers1 said:
Prayer is so much stronger when fasting.
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This to me is debatable, though you will find many people on here who agree with you.

For me, fasting is penitential. No more and no less. I would hope it helps souls in Purgatory. It does very little for me spiritually. It does not make me realize I only need God or anything like that. If I kept it up long enough I’d probably start feeling pretty ethereal or seeing things because I know from past non-religious times in my life that’s what happens after a while when you eat almost nothing for days. I don’t really recommend that, I don’t need that kind of vision quest right now. I think eating in moderation is best.
 
TrueRomanCatholic said:
No solids only liquids! Maintain your nutritional balance though
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Not necessary. My fast has been very effective in reducing my long-term blood sugar, and losing weight. The Church does not require liquid-only fasting. I tried it, and it doesn’t work for me.
 
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