How to fast

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Proeliator

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I am praying someone can shed some light on how exactly they fast and how many days a week they do the same. I am praying for the conversion of a dear family member and have come to the realization that I must start fasting. In the past I fasted on bread and water but found that too hard and gave up on it. I feel the real fast for me has to do with food, not radio or tv. That is too easy! Would following the Church guidelines of 2 smaller meals a day and one main meal be ok? Is that “good” hard fasting? I know it must be if the Church has required it. Just looking to see how or what others do differently. Hard and easy alike. Thank you!
 
Proeliator said:
I am praying someone can shed some light on how exactly they fast and how many days a week they do the same. I am praying for the conversion of a dear family member and have come to the realization that I must start fasting. In the past I fasted on bread and water but found that too hard and gave up on it. I feel the real fast for me has to do with food, not radio or tv. That is too easy! Would following the Church guidelines of 2 smaller meals a day and one main meal be ok? Is that “good” hard fasting? I know it must be if the Church has required it. Just looking to see how or what others do differently. Hard and easy alike. Thank you!
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OPINIONS (only) from a 62 year old RCIA Candidate: I fast Wednesday and Saturday, dedicated to Mother Mary and the souls in Purgatory. I do the standard I moderate meal plus 2 snacks not adding up to the moderate meal. I feel some hunger, but there is NO danger to my health. And that is important, as far as I am concerned. I doubt if The Virgin wants me to damage my body, a Temple Of The Holy Spirit. But to feel some hunger, and learn to aoppraciate what I do eat, yes.
 
I’m not sure the nature of the question, nor am I in the least qualified to offer a concrete answer which you should follow - but Muslims begin their fast before dawn with a pre-dawn meal, abstain from all food and drink throughout the day until sunset where they eat another meal. I think Copts fast in a similar way.
 
I fast from food (since food fasting is the topic of the thread) on an irregular basis on Fridays - maybe once or twice a month.

The norm is one full-sized meal and two smaller snacks that together are less than or the same size as the full meal. I usually make breakfast my large meal, but eat it late in the morning (around 10 am) - and it keeps me going fairly well.

I avoid sugary foods and drinks, as I don’t tolerate them well on an empty-ish stomach. I do have one or two white coffees though, simply to keep the energy up, and I find a multivitamin helps as well.

But I find fasting from things like TV or internet much more difficult than food. Even though I enjoy food way too much I don’t seem to have the sort of dependance on it and craving that I have for my tv and computer - bizarre I know.
 
the Rule of St Benedict is my guide Ch. 7:, the 8th degree of humility is that the monk do nothing except what is commanded by the common rule of the monastery and the example of his superiors. with that guide I would say if you fast, fast according to accepted Church traditional practice as formerly required in Lent, (now with the option to substitute other penitential practices): one normal meal and two small meals that do not add up to a full meal, and abstain from meat. You would only do this of course if there is no medical reason not to. Anything more severe should be with the permission of your confessor or spiritual director.
 
Recently I’ve started skipping lunch every Friday. I also limit myself to one cup of coffee on those days. This is a realistic way for me to do penance that doesn’t interfere with my job or my family.
 
I was in a community that fasted on Friday’s by only having some bread and spread at dinner. From mid-afternoon until breakfast the next day that is all they would have, excluding water (And medications).
 
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