question about fasting

[Blessed_is_He]

I want to do fasts for God but I use to be anorexic really bad. Last time I tried fasting everyone was against it saying a better sacrifice for me would be to eat. That doesn’t really sound like giving up something though. Do I just hide it or what? Thanks.

 

[1love]

Is it a sacrifice for you?

If you put ten Catholics in a room, I bet they would all have different things that would be difficult to fast from.

I would think that if there is an eating disorder involved, that would count as a “health problem” excluding you from fasting.

I can’t find this in the CCC and I’m really so tired right now that I’m not going to try too hard but here is something from EWTN’s website.

Besides those outside the age limits, those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need, guests at a meal who cannot excuse themselves without giving great offense or causing enmity and other situations of moral or physical impossibility to observe the penitential discipline.

I think you would fall into at least one of those categories.

Now, what ELSE can you do for a fast?

• Fast from TV or the internet for a day.
• If you play iPhone or online games, fast from those for a day
• Fast from complaining. Whenever things are going badly and you feel like complaining or whining, look for something positive instead and thank God. Example: “Thank you God for sending me this trial, and please help me persevere as I push through it. Thank you for the opportunity to grow in holiness.”
• Sleep without a pillow
• Wake up twenty minutes earlier than usual to pray or read Scripture
• Give up secular books and/or music for a day (or longer)

If you struggle with food, think outside of that box. God isn’t going to look at you on judgment day and say “Sorry, you didn’t fast from food, and now you can’t come in.” He will see your sacrifices and know that you are acting out of love.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Before starting any fast, why not talk it over with your Confessor the next time you go to Confession. Let him know what you have asked on this thread. That way, you will know you are on the right track spiritually.

 

[Blessed_is_He]

Never thought of fasting from other things counted Even simple ones like the no pillow one is interesting. Both of you have great ideas. Thanks.