fasting

[brierpatch1974]

Can somone help me with fasting. What days of the week? how long between meals etc…Also is it longer at certain holidays? I hope this doesn’t sound like I regret going without food because its not that. Just want to know how to do it properly and when to do it. Thanks

BP

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Can somone help me with fasting. What days of the week? how long between meals etc…Also is it longer at certain holidays? I hope this doesn’t sound like I regret going without food because its not that. Just want to know how to do it properly and when to do it. Thanks

BP

There are two days a year that the Church requires fasting and abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Here’s how the Diocese of Sacramento explains it:

I. FAST AND ABSTINENCE (self-denial). To foster the spirit of penance and of reparation for sin, to encourage self-denial, and to guide us in the footsteps of Jesus, Church law requires the observance of fast and abstinence (CIC, 1249-1253).

Abstinence: All persons who have already celebrated their 14th birthday, are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

Fasting: Everyone, from the celebration of their 18th birthday to their 59th birthday, is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Voluntary fasting on other weekdays of Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, is highly recommended. Fasting is generally understood to mean eating one full meal each day. Two other partial meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken; but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Other forms of “fasting,” especially regarding alcoholic drink, needless television, video games, internet use, and social entertainment, is of true spiritual value and is strongly encouraged. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, neither the law of fasting nor the law of abstinence obliges. If in doubt, one=s parish priest or confessor may be consulted. Airport workers, travelers, and others while on board ships or airplanes are dispensed from the laws of fast and abstinence for the duration of their journey (except on Good Friday). It is desirable that they perform some other pious act instead.

If you want to do more than this it would be good to discuss it with your spiritual director.

 

[Strategery]

I’ve been looking at this too. Fasting is a consistent message from Marian apparitions, both acknowledged by the Church (Fatima) and still under evaluation (Medjugorje).

I’ve discussed getting started with my priest, who told me that fasting is encouraged on Fridays year-round. He was very supportive of the idea and highly recommended it for spiritual development.

I haven’t gotten myself to do it yet, but I probably will. I’ve taken note that both Scripture and the Marian messages say that we shouldn’t call attention to our fasting, it should be just between God and us.

 

[jimmy]

Can somone help me with fasting. What days of the week? how long between meals etc…Also is it longer at certain holidays? I hope this doesn’t sound like I regret going without food because its not that. Just want to know how to do it properly and when to do it. Thanks

BP

Do what you feel you should. You don’t have to follow a law because there is no law of fasting.

Traditionally fasting is on wednesday and friday of each week. The latin Church does not have fasts for holidays. But if you would like you could follow the example of many Eastern Catholics who fast at Great Lent (50 days), the Apostles fast before the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul(4 days for Maronites), the fast of the dormition(before the ascension, 8 days for Maronites), and the nativity fast(12 days for Maronite Catholics). I am Maronite, that I why I reference the Maronites. Here is a link that gives much more details.

209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:ZhHVRaZ1GmAJ:www.stjosephofseattle.org/martraditions.asp+traditional+maronite+fast+abstinence+1920&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

 

[LilyM]

Do what you feel you should. You don’t have to follow a law because there is no law of fasting.

Traditionally fasting is on wednesday and friday of each week. The latin Church does not have fasts for holidays. But if you would like you could follow the example of many Eastern Catholics who fast at Great Lent (50 days), the Apostles fast before the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul(4 days for Maronites), the fast of the dormition(before the ascension, 8 days for Maronites), and the nativity fast(12 days for Maronite Catholics). I am Maronite, that I why I reference the Maronites. Here is a link that gives much more details.

209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:ZhHVRaZ1GmAJ:www.stjosephofseattle.org/martraditions.asp+traditional+maronite+fast+abstinence+1920&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

Apart from Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which are mandatory days of fasting.

 

[drno]

Last year when in Medjugorje during the lent, I decided to start fasting each week. Right now I am taking a pause for few weeks for health reasons, but intend to continue soon. I decided that each Wednesday I will eat nothing but a small amount of bread & fruits and drink nothing but water.

From my experience, I can recommend fasting to everyone. If you look in the Acts for example, it always mentions “prayer and fasting” together.

As one of my friends put it, “fasting gives you the strength for prayer”.

God bless!

 

[Todd_Easton]

Your question seems to concern days of fasting. However, just to cover all bases, I thought I should mention that there is also the Eucharistic fast. From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 919 §1 Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.

§2 A priest who, on the same day, celebrates the blessed Eucharist twice or three times may consume something before the second or third celebration, even though there is not an hour’s interval.

§3 The elderly and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care for them, may receive the blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something.

 

[Andruschak]

Can somone help me with fasting. What days of the week? how long between meals etc…Also is it longer at certain holidays? I hope this doesn’t sound like I regret going without food because its not that. Just want to know how to do it properly and when to do it. Thanks

BP

If you are new to fasting, perhaps the first thing to do is have your Physician give you a checkup. Tell them what you plan. For some people, any kind of fasting is contraindicated. I know of one friend with hypoglycemia, who needs six small meals a day.

Next, if you can, talk to your Spiritual Director (if you have one), or a Priest, or some other Religious about your plans.

Start off slow and simple. Make Fridays days of fasting and abstinance. That’s all. Just once a week. Try it for seveal months before trying more. One moderate meal per day, plus two smaller meals not adding up to the main meal.

And always remember, you may feel hungry when fasting. But you should NEVER feel debilitated, weak, faint, or unable to concentrate. You should be able to function normally in all aspects of your life, aside from a mild feeling of being hungry.

As always, these opinions have not been endorsed by my cats, who would tear me to pieces if I tried to make them fast.

 

[bullfrog543]

this what fasting is to me after reading about cats. if your computer wise which im not you can deleate your computers contents to manufactural effects. i feal it causes a elephant man syndrom with computers know how profane is that. anyhow with computers you can retrieve everything ever placed on a compture from day 1 with some sevear proffessional help. just hand to relate