Question about breaking Lenten vow

[CB_Catholic]

But the eucharistic fast was changed from midnight to three hours in 1953, so growing up in the fifties and sixties would not have involved a fast required from midnight.

No it wasn’t. I believe it was changed in the early 1960’s. We fasted from midnight on, then it was changed to 3 hours, and then to the present 1 hour fast. I believe that change came about in around 1964. I will have to check. I well remember the from midnight fast, and I was born in 1948.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Ok, I found an article in This Rock Magazine that the Eucharistic Fast was changed to 3 hours in 1957, and then 1 hour in 1964. I don’t know how to link, but it can easily be found on CAF. Just needed to satisfy my curiosity, back to topic.

 

[Chatter163]

Ok, I found an article in This Rock Magazine that the Eucharistic Fast was changed to 3 hours in 1957, and then 1 hour in 1964. I don’t know how to link, but it can easily be found on CAF. Just needed to satisfy my curiosity, back to topic.

The truth is in between.

The Apostolic Constiution Christus Dominus of Pius XII on 6 January 1953 gave permission for evening Masses and shortened the eucharistic fast to three hours for all faithful who attended evening Masses. For those who attended Mass in the morning, the fast was still from midnight, though water no longer broke the fast.

On 19 March 1957 the same Pope promulgated Sacram Communionem*, *which extended the three-hour eucharistic fast to all Masses, regardless of the time of the Mass.

On 21 November 1964, (Acta Apostolica Sedis 57), Paul VI reduced the fast, as you stated, to one hour.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Fascinating; could anyone point out a source for the Church teaching that it’s permissible on Sundays to suspend one’s Lenten fast? It would sure help clear up the matter.

I was raised to fast from something enjoyable during Lent, Sundays included, but I can see where it could be fine to suspend that on Sundays.

I think we took from the Jewish principle that it is forbidden to fast or mourn on a day of feast. I recall a friend telling that they had to cut short the mourning period for her father, because a wedding was scheduled. I think it derives from, or at least is exemplified in,

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Nehemiah 8:9-12

Note that the Lenten fast and abstinence does never applied on Sundays or Solemnities [Annunciation, St Joseph]. Canon Law lifts the Friday penance requirement if it is impeded by a Solemnity.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

There would seem to be justification for this in the New Testament also:

14* Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, * but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Matthew 9:14-15

 

[Elizium23]

We are only required to abstain or fast on Holy Days of Obligation. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Holy Days of Obligation which occur during Lent.

I am not aware of any requirement of fast or abstinence on Holy Days of Obligation, at all. Do you have a source for your assertion?

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are not Holy Days of Obligation. According to my calendar, there are no Holy Days of Obligation which fall inside Lent, except for the Sundays.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. These are the only provisions in Church law for fast and abstinence.

Are you perhaps confused about terms here? A Holy Day of Obligation is when we are obligated to attend Mass on a particular day, i.e. Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8 falls on a Wednesday this year, we are required to go to Mass. That is the “obligation” we refer to. It has nothing to do with fast or abstinence.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I’m just trying to understand your post. Are you saying that the 40 days is not meant to be taken literally, but rather refers to period during which can make a full evaluation? Am I understanding you correctly? Assuming I am can you please tell where you get this from. I don’t meant to be rude or argumentative, but I would rather not just take your word for it and I like the assertion so I would like to know the authority so that I can state it as such later.

Well to understand my post in this thread I guess you have to know I have a thing about practicing laws or customs and calling them religion. ( ie some one for torturing other men but willing to give up soda for 46 days). The practice of Lent has absolutely no meaning unless you fulfill its meaning which was not to give up pop, chewing gum or donuts. Now to move to a more direct answer to your question. Anyone who studies the bible has to address the common writing then verses its equal writing today or translation. Translating scripture numbers is a huge issue because practically all studies conclude the scripture numbers had meaning other than quantity, Now, all to not agree on what those meanings are. For years I have heard homilies on these subjects, you can certainly read on these subjects, and I find no reason to disagree with these many homilies which typically conclude - 7 means all or universal, 40 means a complete period, 168 represents all nations, etc., I’ll post a website on this issue which interprets it slightly differently if you would like to review their interpretations.

In summary whether one gives up soda for 40, 46, or 48 days has no meaning. The attached website claims you have to “complete a period of punishment or waiting” I tell you, you have to “complete a period of reflection, (then) purification and (then you reach) enlightenment” unfortunately the latter is much more involved than the loss of soda

Hope that helps

link
biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/40.html

.

 

[RedSoxWife]

Again, as I understand it the Church does not require that we fast or give up anything during the period of Lent.

Everything I’ve found says that Sundays aren’t part of Lent. From this on EWTN’s site (it explains the 40-days part too further down on the site):

Q: What is Lent?
A: Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). [This traditional ennumeration does not precisely coincide with the calendar according to the liturgical reform. In order to give special prominence to the Sacred Triduum (Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) the current calendar counts Lent as only from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, up to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Even so, Lenten practices are properly maintained up to the Easter Vigil, excluding Sundays, as before.]

Q: Why are Sundays excluded from the reckoning of the forty days?

A: Because Sunday is the day on which Christ arose, making it an inappropriate day to fast and mourn our sins. On Sunday we must celebrate Christ’s resurrection for our salvation. It is Friday on which we commemorate his death for our sins. The Sundays of the year are days of celebration and the Fridays of the year are days of penance.

To this on Wikipedia:

Most followers of Western Catholicism observe Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday (midday) and concluding at the Ninth Hour of Holy Thursday (44 days in the Catholic Church) or on Holy Saturday (46 days).[2][3] One notable exception is the Archdiocese of Milan which follows the Ambrosian Rite and observes Lent starting exactly 6 weeks before Easter. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter,” a celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.[1] When Lent is to continue until Holy Saturday, this leaves exactly forty days of fasting.

Actually every definition I found of Lent said Sunday’s weren’t included.

 

[Big_Ro]

I am not aware of any requirement of fast or abstinence on Holy Days of Obligation, at all. Do you have a source for your assertion?

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are not Holy Days of Obligation. According to my calendar, there are no Holy Days of Obligation which fall inside Lent, except for the Sundays.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. These are the only provisions in Church law for fast and abstinence.

Are you perhaps confused about terms here? A Holy Day of Obligation is when we are obligated to attend Mass on a particular day, i.e. Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8 falls on a Wednesday this year, we are required to go to Mass. That is the “obligation” we refer to. It has nothing to do with fast or abstinence.

You’re right. I got carried away and didn’t do the leg work before I wrote my post. I apologize and I’m sorry if I meslead anyone. My mistake originates from the source. I googled using “Catholic, Holy Days of Obligation” and came up with a list that included, accurately, the Holy Days. However, it was part of a larger list that inlcuded other important days such as Ash Wednesday. A bit ago, I used “Catholic Catechism, Holy Days of Obligation” and got a much better source. I was rushing as usual and didn’t really read the instructions at the top. Upon a closer review, I realized that managed to confuse myself. Allow me to offer the evidence:

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

About.com: Holy Days of Obligation Link

catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/a/2010_Lit_Cal.htm

USCCB Holy Days of Obligation Link:

usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/general/obligation.shtml

To be honest, I was a little disappointed was so much shorter than what I mistakenly thought it was. Oh, well. Also, it seems odd to me that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are not included. I need to do some research or maybe you can save me the time.

Now, as far as the fasting and abstinence thing, I also stand corrected. The Catechism doesn’t say anything about that. Now, the difference between the Cannon and the Catechism is unknown to me. I guess it just made sense to me. I’m going to keep to it. It doesn’t say we shouldn’t or we are not allowed, It just says we are not required. I made the mistake of arrogantly believing that my understanding is all good and well. Still, while I am bit put out for having my ignorance so publically exposed, I am gratefull for the better and greater depth of undertsnding I now have.

 

[Big_Ro]

Everything I’ve found says that Sundays aren’t part of Lent. From this on EWTN’s site (it explains the 40-days part too further down on the site):

To this on Wikipedia:

Actually every definition I found of Lent said Sunday’s weren’t included.

Well, I think we’re getting caught up in a little bit of a semantical loop. I think the central argument is should continue in our fasting and abstinence on the Sundays of Lent. It seems to me that the jury has pretty much come down on the side that self-denial during Lent is not required. It is voluntary. I’ve been all over the Catholic Catechism due to an earlier post where I got some things really wrong. And, indeed, all Fridays are supposed to be like mini-Lents. Still, even in that particular part of the Catechism, it says that self-denial is voluntary. The Catechism also describes Sunday as a Holy Day of Obligation and specifically states that it is a day for leisure and celebration. There are, of course, a bunch of caveats, but generally, IMHO, the argument that because Sunday is a celebration, a mini-Easter if you will, fasting and self-denial may be inappropriate. I maintain that since it is totally voluntary whether or not to practice self-denial as a part of our Lenten observance, the decision of whether or not to maintain our observance on Sunday is also a matter of personal choice.

Now, Sundays are excluded in terms of counting the 40 days of Lent. So, in that sense, they are excluded from Lent. However, I didn’t find anything, except within the context of counting the 40 days, that said that Sundays are excluded. I will also submit some circumstantial evidence. The Liturgical Calendar says that today, Sunday, Feb. 21st, is the First Sunday of Lent. It further refers to all the Sundays before Palm Sunday as the 2nd Sunday, third Sunday, etc., of Lent. So, it’s an inference on my part but I think it stands up. Again, I think we’re getting caught up in a word game. I think we basically agree. BTW, I am maintaining my regimen of Self-Denial today. I get joy from it.

Finally, I think this was part of someone elses post, but man I’ve got stuff to do! I included links below to support my rantings above as well as the following assertion. Lent ends at the Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy or, as I prefer, Maundy Thursday. The Tridium follows, which ends on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday begins the Season of Easter which runs through Pentacost. After that, it’s ordinary time until Advent.

Here is some supporting evidence:

catholic-catechism.com/ccc_1438.htm

CCC 1438 The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice.1 These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).
1 Cf. SC 109-110; CIC, cann. 1249-1253; CCEO, Cann. 880-883.

americancatholic.org/newsletters/CU/ac0302.asp#F8

 

[yoopersenior]

There is no canon law relating to “Lenten vows” so you are free to make them however you wish. But as a vow is a promise to God and binding, I would keep it with whatever particulars I promised. If you vow to refrain from something for the Lenten period, then I would refrain from the time I made the vow until the Triduum. If you vowed to refrain for 6 days per week, then do that. etc.

I don’t believe, however, that most people make Lenten vows. Like me, I would guess most make it their intention and keep to it as best they can.

Thank you for explaining the difference!! (So much to learn for me!)

 

[Bluegoat]

It seems to me that when making ones plan for Lent, consider what will best accomplish the goals of Lenten fasting, abstinence, and prayer for you, and fit in with your life in a realistic way.

A fellow I know fasted very strictly one year, and I think his Sundays were probably important from a nutritional point of view. OTOH, abstaining from smoking except on Sundays seems like a silly idea.

I do think that even during a larger season, we should keep in mind the weekly cycle too. So even in the Easter season, one continues to fast on Friday, in the Lenten season Sunday is understood as a day of celebration. How one acknowledges that could vary though.

 

[MikeDunphy]

Along with what you said, it could be observed that the priest’s vestments on the Sundays of Lent are violet, symbolizing penance, and during Mass *Alleluia *is no longer said and the Gloria in Excelsis is omitted, creating a more somber atmosphere.

The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar #28 says “Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive.” No mention of skipping over Sundays. #30 refers to “the Sundays of this season”, so clearly Sundays **are **part of the Lenten season, at least as far as regulations for the new Mass are concerned.

The traditional outlook described in the 1911 Catholic encyclopedia is the same:
“From what has been said it will be clear that in the early Middle Ages Lent throughout the greater part of the Western Church consisted of forty weekdays, which were all fast days, and six Sundays. From the beginning to the end of that time all flesh meat, and also, for the most part, “lacticinia”[butter, cheese, eggs], were forbidden even on Sundays, while on all the fasting days only one meal was taken, which single meal was not permitted before evening.”

Traditionally, even the Sundays of Lent were penitential, although not as severely as the rest of the season.

Of course, how people practice whatever little voluntary mortifications they have chosen is entirely up to them.

Now, Sundays are excluded in terms of counting the 40 days of Lent. So, in that sense, they are excluded from Lent. However, I didn’t find anything, except within the context of counting the 40 days, that said that Sundays are excluded. I will also submit some circumstantial evidence. The Liturgical Calendar says that today, Sunday, Feb. 21st, is the First Sunday of Lent. It further refers to all the Sundays before Palm Sunday as the 2nd Sunday, third Sunday, etc., of Lent. So, it’s an inference on my part but I think it stands up. Again, I think we’re getting caught up in a word game. I think we basically agree. BTW, I am maintaining my regimen of Self-Denial today. I get joy from it.

 

[Tradycja]

Lenten vows? I wouldn’t recommend VOWING to do something for Lent. This is a very dangerous thing to do because then you are binding yourself under sin or if you vow a superfulous matter it makes a vow out to be a trifle. Just read Fr. Heribert Jones’ “Moral Theology” and you will see that the question of VOWS is VERY complicated in Moral Theology. Avoid taking them unless you are getting married or taking religious vows. Don’t play around with vowing to do things.