Help with fasting!

[Cartesian]

I have began fasting on Fridays so far using the ‘one regular and two small meals’ way. As it is bringing wonderful results I would like to fast, using the ´hard mode´ way, I mean just liquids during the day.

However, I have a silly doubt about what should I consider a day. Should I fast for example from 0:00 to 23:59?

I know this is silly and not written in stone but it is bugging me. I only have chance to meet a catholic priest once a month and at the time I always forget to ask guidance on fasting as I am more concerned with confession. So I’d be glad to learn about your experience on this kind of fasting in case you practice, in some weeks I shall remember to ask from my confessor. Thanks in advance.

 

[ClearWater]

How long you fast is up to you, I think.

I used to do different kinds of fasting, years ago. I used to do really long ones, but not with the Catholic faith. The longest one I had was 7 days…liquid pretty much. However, one can overdo even a good thing. I think that was too long and weakened me.

Be careful not to overdo fasting, because if it’s overdone, it can hurt your general health.

I actually read up in books on different kinds of fasts and advice on how to do it, properly.

Why not go online and research fasting…religious…Catholic, and see what it says about it?

Be careful with going to extremes is all I’d say. Do it in such a way that you stay healthy.

 

[Cartesian]

Thank You ClearWater. Wow 7 days …

Whereas I can find plenty of detailed information on Orthodox sites, if I google Catholic fasting, I fail in locating straightforward and detailed explanation on fasting, particularly about what Orthodox calls: ‘total fasting’. I guess such happens in the light of such extreme fasting being recommended only under proper spiritual guidance.

 

[Phemie]

Generally I’d eat normally on Thursday, which for me would include eating in the evening, going liquid on Friday and resuming a normal diet at breakfast on Saturday.

 

[MorEphrem]

I have began fasting on Fridays so far using the ‘one regular and two small meals’ way. As it is bringing wonderful results I would like to fast, using the ´hard mode´ way, I mean just liquids during the day.

Your excitement for fasting is inspiring. Remember, however, what fasting is for and that it is not a sort of spiritual athleticism. I think fasting with only liquids for a lay person would be contrary to Latin spiritual tradition if not properly guided.

 

[GLam8833]

Fasting WORKS, when I started fasting meals, I decided that I should
also fast CIGARETTES, so it gave me an added benefit, during lent
one year, I fasted two days a week, and by Sep, I gave up smoking al-
together.
The Kingdom of God, it says in the words of Jesus, is NOT a matter
of eating and drinking, but of Righteousness… To live righteously
in this present age is to Judge it, for it’s EMPHASIS on Materialism.

 

[Cartesian]

Generally I’d eat normally on Thursday, which for me would include eating in the evening, going liquid on Friday and resuming a normal diet at breakfast on Saturday.

Thank You. That’s how I am planning to do. I hope I have enough strength, mainly Friday evening.

Your excitement for fasting is inspiring. Remember, however, what fasting is for and that it is not a sort of spiritual athleticism. I think fasting with only liquids for a lay person would be contrary to Latin spiritual tradition if not properly guided.

Advice noted. Honestly, the 1 meal and two small meals is practically how I eat in most of the days (during school time), although the regular meal is unusually large sometimes. So, I would like to sacrifice a bit more. And of course, this day is suppose to be a day of deeper reflection and penance. I hope to get advice next time I see a priest, although as I said it is a bit rare and a bit short in time.

Fasting WORKS, when I started fasting meals, I decided that I should
also fast CIGARETTES, so it gave me an added benefit, during lent
one year, I fasted two days a week, and by Sep, I gave up smoking al-
together.
The Kingdom of God, it says in the words of Jesus, is NOT a matter
of eating and drinking, but of Righteousness… To live righteously
in this present age is to Judge it, for it’s EMPHASIS on Materialism.

That’s a good advice. I was thinking that there are other things that I could give up for a day as well. For instance, some days I use Internet in a binge and compulsive way (I am kind of addicted). Going one day without Internet would be a good opportunity to focus on things that matter in life. Congratulation for your giving up on smoking.