How do I fast properly?

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Cruxis117

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I’ve read and heard quite a few times that fasting is essential to a solid prayer life, and I want to start integrating that into my own life. Does anyone have any resources on how to properly fast? I want to fast in a way that is both loving and sacrificial, but not abusive to the body my Lord has given me. Any help?
 
You can begin by looking at what the Church’s own guidelines on fasting are. On obligatory fast days (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) She stipulates one moderate meal, meaning no snacks or extra-big portions, together with up to two smaller meals which together are smaller than the main meal.

For me I find it easiest to have two meals - a late breakfast and an early dinner. One of which will always be slightly smaller than the other by definition.

How you define ‘smaller’ is up to you - smaller by volume or caloric content, your choice.
 
I looked at the Canadian guidelines regarding abstinence and fasting, and it appears to be the same as the United States guidelines. This leads me to another question related to this one:

I was unaware of the fasting laws on Fridays in my country until now. I am not sure if I will be able to convince my family to participate in this on every Friday (they are nominal Catholics, and thus do not hold to even most of Catholic theology, nevermind pastoral teaching). Therefore, if I am unable to convince my family regarding the holding to abstinence on all Fridays, would I be able to switch in some sort of act of piety instead, until I am able to live on my own and thus freely practice this? (When I say ‘act of piety’, I refer to either a particular chaplet, or possibly spending an hour praying all four sets of mysteries of the Rosary, etc.)
 
Cruxis117 said:
I looked at the Canadian guidelines regarding abstinence and fasting, and it appears to be the same as the United States guidelines. This leads me to another question related to this one:

I was unaware of the fasting laws on Fridays in my country until now. I am not sure if I will be able to convince my family to participate in this on every Friday (they are nominal Catholics, and thus do not hold to even most of Catholic theology, nevermind pastoral teaching). Therefore, if I am unable to convince my family regarding the holding to abstinence on all Fridays, would I be able to switch in some sort of act of piety instead, until I am able to live on my own and thus freely practice this? (When I say ‘act of piety’, I refer to either a particular chaplet, or possibly spending an hour praying all four sets of mysteries of the Rosary, etc.)
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Well, I’ve heard many times that if you’re offered meat/there’s no other option, you can accept it becaue fasting is something private(Jesus said to make sure it doesn’t look like you’re fasting. You don’t want to come off as a holier than thou Christian, or be one for that matter)
So considering you still live with your parents, assuming there are no other food options, I don’t think you would be held accountable for eating meat on Fridays. You could offer up the sacrifice of “having” to eat meat whilst you want to abstain :cool:
 
If Canadian guidelines are the same as US then there is no obligation to abstain on Fridays except in Lent. There is an obligation to do some penance on Fridays, however this can take the form of extra prayer, almsgiving, doing charitable work or abstaining from something other than meat, such as sugar or caffeine, or even tv or music.
 
There is a great book titled “the sacred art of fasting” written by a catholic priest named Fr. Thomas Ryan csp. In the book he goes over fasting-the whys and wherefores of several different religious traditions. I’ve found it to be quite helpful in my fasting practice. Blessings and good luck.
 
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