fasting

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Julie_L

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I have a question concerning the bread and water fast for Wednesdays and Fridays:

If I am trying to stay away from bread, what can I substitute for the bread?

Thanks!
 
What are you talking about? What Church document, either pre or post Vatican II, says one must fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays?
 
I’m sorry I don’t understand the question. I hope if your are choosing a fasting discipline other than what the Church traditionally prescribes for Lent it is with the permission of your confessor or spiritual director (and doctor if you have health issues). If you want to fast on bread and water, you eat bread and water. If you don’t want to eat bread, then I guess you choose another food to eat on fast days.
 
And if you’re staying away from bread because you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic,and it has too many ‘carbs’, you need to be even more careful about such stringent ‘fasting’ which is NOT a requirement of the Church and (as Annie noted) you really should be discussing it with a competent spiritual adviser AND you should always check with your physician before starting any such ‘drastic’ dietary and/or exercise changes.
 
I read under the Medjugorije website that they recommend fasting on Wednesday and Fridays too. This is from their website:

www.medjugorje.org/ol5step.htm

*Fasting
In the Old Testament and in the New Testament, there are many examples of fasting. Jesus fasted frequently. According to Tradition, fasting is encouraged especially in times of great temptation or severe trials. Certain devils, “can be cast out in no other way except by prayer and fasting”, said Jesus. (Mark 9:29)

Fasting is essential in order to achieve spiritual freedom. Through fasting, one is better able to listen to God and man and to perceive them more clearly. If, through fasting, we achieve that freedom, we will be more aware of many things. Once we are aware that we can enjoy the necessities of life without struggle, then many fears and worries fade away. We become more open to our families and to the people with whom we live and work. Our Lady recommends fasting twice a week: “Fast strictly on Wednesdays and Fridays.” (August 14, 1984)

She asks us to accept this difficult message “…with a firm will.” She asks us to “Persevere in … fasting.” (June 25, 1982)

“The best fast is on bread and water. Through fasting and prayer one can stop wars, one can suspend the natural laws of nature. Works of charity cannot replace fasting… Everyone except the sick, has to fast.” (July 21, 1982)

We have to realize the power of fasting. Fasting means to make a sacrifice to God, to offer not only our prayers, but also to make our whole being participate in sacrifice. We should fast with love, for a special intention, and to purify ourselves and the world. We should fast because we love God and want to be soldiers that offer our bodies in the battle against evil.*

I too wonder if I deviate from this recommended form of fasting if it is an acceptable form of fasting. What if I eat pasta or a cheese sandwich at dinner time, am I still fasting? The bread and water method of fasting is obviously more difficult than simply not eating meat or snacking between meals. So are there different levels of fasting? Will we be closer to God if we fast a stricter fast? I would like for someone who has a lot of experience fasting explain the benefits in more detail .I think that fasting will help our spirituality and does show God our love (Jesus fasted). So I know I should fast, I’m not sure how often or how strictly I should fast.
 
If this question has anything to do with Medjugorje, it has no business being on the traditional forum.
 
Julie_L said:
I have a question concerning the bread and water fast for Wednesdays and Fridays:

If I am trying to stay away from bread, what can I substitute for the bread?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hello Julie,

I know this is a fast recommended by Our Lady but I don’t know why you are staying away from breads. I’m going to take a guess that your a diabetic? If you are then I would ask a doctore what would be a good supplement for bread. I read that Ezekiel Bread is a good choice for people who are allergic to wheat or diabetics. I would suggest Letuce but you need your carbs for energy and letuce would not be a good source of carbs. Remember that one must be safe when performing these fasts so don’t overdue it. God knows your heart.

@Lormar.

Just because this fast is in connection to the Medjugorje and not listed under the requirements of the Church does not mean it has no business in this forum. I personally have never known any Traditionalists that have had a problem with taking a more ascetic approach to anything let alone a fast recommended by Our Lady. No I think Julie found the right group of people to talk to =)

God Bless
 
Sorry, my question was not explained. I recently read about the Wed. and Friday fast that was given by Mary at Medjugorje:

August 14, 1984 (Tuesday) This apparition was unexpected. Ivan
was praying at home. After that he started to get ready to go to
Church for the evening services. By surprise Our Lady appeared to
him and told him to relate to the people. “I would like the
people to pray along with me these days. And to pray as much as
possible! And to fast strictly on Wednesdays and Fridays, and
every day to pray at least one Rosary: the joyful, sorrowful and
glorious mysteries.” Our Lady asked that we accept this message
with a firm will. She especially requested this of the
parishioners and the faithful of the surrounding places.

I was told that the “fast” was a bread and water fast. But I am trying to stay away from bread, that is way I asked: Can I substitute something in place of the bread? Just not sure who to ask???
 
hmmm…maybe a fruit or vegetable? i’ve heard of that fast, i’ve never done it, but i’d like to do it.

i think the basic idea of bread and water is just so you don’t satisfy yourself, so if you eat something you just don’t care for, not necessarily something you hate, but not something you enjoy either, then it would probably be just as good.

there is nothing wrong with this kind of fast, as long as you the health for it and the right intention, then it is a very good and meritorious thing to do.
but it is also certainly something to bring up with your priest(if you haven’t already)

ok, hope this helps, tc.
 
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