History of fasting question

[nodito]

I understand from The Liturgical Year by Gueranger that the Lenten fast used to be kept much more strictly and that it was only gradually relaxed over time. So whereas today we are only required to fast twice during Lent, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, previous generations were required to fast every weekday in Lent and even then the rules were more strict (only eating after 12 noon/3pm/6pm, eating a vegan diet, etc).

My question is, why were these rules relaxed over time? Were they a mere accommodation to our frailty (sort of like how Moses had permitted divorce because of their hardened hearts) or is it that the bishops have to come to realize that it is for our benefit (i.e., “better”) to fast less intensely (for any number of reasons, i.e., to maintain our health or focus on other penances with less emphasis on bodily mortification, for example)?

Just curious. I’d also be interested in hearing your thoughts on the merits (or lack thereof) of trying to follow some permutation of the old fast and doing more than the Church requires. Please discuss.

 

[twf]

The Eastern Churches largely continue the more traditional practice of true fasting throughout the weekdays of Lent. It is actually an issue of ecumenical concern for some…I’ve spoken to Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians who see the extreme relaxation of fasting norms in the West as an obstacle to unity.

 

[Ignatius]

I understand from The Liturgical Year by Gueranger that the Lenten fast used to be kept much more strictly and that it was only gradually relaxed over time. So whereas today we are only required to fast twice during Lent, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, previous generations were required to fast every weekday in Lent and even then the rules were more strict (only eating after 12 noon/3pm/6pm, eating a vegan diet, etc).

Actually, Eastern Catholics Churches Sui Juris still observe the fast as it was in ages past, not only abstaining from meat, but from eggs, cheese, and all dairy. The fast is kept on Wednesdays and Fridays all year as well.

 

[Dorothy]

For some it may be more meritorious to voluntarily fast. Just because the rules were relaxed it doesn’t mean that fasting is not necessary and good for our spiritual life. Some may have to suit the fasting according to their lifestyles and their health requirements.

 

[SuS33]

Actually, Eastern Catholics Churches Sui Juris still observe the fast as it was in ages past, not only abstaining from meat, but from eggs, cheese, and all dairy. The fast is kept on Wednesdays and Fridays all year as well.

True. As an Eastern Catholic I was taught to abstain from both meat and meat by products, it’s mandetory on the first day of Lent and Good Friday, also fastingfrom 12am till 12pm, the rest of the Fridays is only abstinence from meat. A lot of Eastren Catholis still abstain from meat and meat by products the whole Lent. But it’s by their own choice.

As for the rest of the year, we are not obliged to abstain on Wednesdays anymore, but every Friday should be a meatless day the whole year.

 

[felsguy]

In keeping with your request for individual thoughts as opposed to any official Church teaching, I would offer that there is always merit in going beyond what the Church absolutely requires, whether in fasting, prayer, worship, and so forth, as long as one’s motivation is appropriate and one does not become obsessive or scrupulous about it.

As as far as relaxing the fasting requirements, given the drastic changes in food availability, nutritional science, eating habits, working conditions and our lifestyle in general over the past 60 years, it seems to me that fasting as formerly prescribed no longer requires the same effort or presents the same significance. For example, every so often I get on a weight loss kick and go for a few weeks eating differently and much less than those fasting requirements would allow and without much sense of sacrifice. Perhaps the bishops saw the emphasis on prayer and good works as more beneficial to our spiritual lives.