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zmyr88
Guest
by meals only, i meant water only with meals, or whenever you wanted. just for clarification.
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dixieagle
Guest
Good Friday runs from midnight to midnight, 24 hours, as does any Friday. Practically speaking, many folks won’t eat late at night anyway (Thursday) or during the middle of the night (Friday) so the first “normal” meal after Good Friday would be Saturday breakfast.
Why would you think you should start a Good Friday fast on Friday night? Makes no sense to me.
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Phemie
Guest
That’s what I do. My fast starts when I go to bed Thursday and ends when I get up Saturday morning. That doesn’t mean that I have to completely forgo food during that time. We are allowed one meal, I opted for that to be at supper time since that’s usually when we have our main meal and meshes with when DH is supposed to eat his regular meal. I ate less than I normally would have. I won’t snack between supper and the time I go to bed. Saturday morning I’ll have my regular breakfast.
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JM3
Guest
vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html
III. 1. The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat.
- The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.
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malphono
Guest
The "two small meals and one “normal” meal are permitted on Good Friday. Let’s say a person has dinner Thursday at 7pm. Then comes Friday, and say a small breakfast at 7am. Then a small lunch, say, at 1pm, and a "normal’ dinner at, say, 7pm (or a “normal meal” at 1pm and a “small meal” at 7pm). Then the cycle starts again with Saturday breakfast at, say again, 7am.
Normally (in non fasting periods), people don’t generally consider themselves “deprived” of food during sleep time (most people aren’t not like Dagwood Bumstead
who, much to Blondie’s chagrin, habitually has his “Dagwoods” in the middle of the night). The fast is really in the self-deprivation. The “small meals” are one aspect of that. One would expect those “small meals” to be taken in place of the usual meals one consumes on a given day, not crammed into a 4-hour period of “TV-time” between the final meal of the day meal and bedtime.
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tee_eff_em
Guest
It is legalistic. But that is appropriate, since the law speaks to this matter:
Can. 202 §1. In law, a day is understood as a period consisting of 24 continuous hours and begins at midnight unless other provision is expressly made; a week is a period of 7 days; a month is a period of 30 days, and a year is a period of 365 days unless a month and a year are said to be taken as they are in the calendar.
Can. 202 — § 1. In iure, dies intellegitur spatium constans 24 horis continuo supputandis, et incipit a media nocte, nisi aliud expresse caveatur; hebdomada spatium 7 dierum; mensis spatium 30 et annus spatium 365 dierum, nisi mensis et annus dicantur sumendi prout sunt in calendario.
[Or, this being the Traditional forum, if one prefers the 1917 Code:
Can 32 §1. Dies constat 24 horis continuo supputandis a media nocte, hebdomada 7 diebus.
]
That having been said: I have previously kept fast/abstinence according to my internal clock (eg 00:05 does not “feel like” “the next day”), I have never faulted those who would keep a *legalistic *fast – There is no arguing that they are within the law. It just didn’t feel right to me. (But I may well have to answer for my practice in this world or the world to come)
This year, however, I am working a night shift and am sleeping for much of the daylight hours. There is no practical way to keep the fast other than legalistically by the clock, and I am grateful that the law is specific to this regard.
tee
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TrueLight
Guest
I am a self-proclaimed wimp when it comes to fasting. But I wish the fasting guidelines were more strict. And by strict, I mean that I wish we were instructed to fast more traditionally, not that it should be considered as mortal sin if we don’t. But if there is going to be official fasting days anyway, why not go all the way? Why not ask for either no solids or at the most, one whole or small meal?
Barring medical conditions or work/sports situations where it is necessary to consume a large amount of calories, why can’t we really fast? Or at least aim to have a fuller fast? Obviously if one is fasting and becomes faint, I’m not saying one can’t eat, but those are exceptions.
Yesterday, I complained on the boards about how hungry I was and at 9 PM, I was watching the clock until it became 12 AM to have some pizza. Well, I ended up falling asleep.
The whole time I was aware of why I was fasting and it was an honor for me to deny my stomach in commemoration of Christ’s death. Now, I did have one large meal and not the smaller meals. I wish I could have fasted from all solids.
I wish the guidelines were either no solids or maybe one whole meal.
I don’t consider one large meal and two small meals to be fasting. I consider it to be taking it easy. Is the one large meal/ 2 small meals rule a U.S. thing? Can posters who live outside of the US describe their fasting rule
When were the guidelines changed to 1 large meal and two small meals. Why?
Why should we not be encouraged to deny ourselves?
Now, I know anyone can fast more than is required, but why isn’t more required?
s?
Barring medical conditions or work/sports situations where it is necessary to consume a large amount of calories, why can’t we really fast? Or at least aim to have a fuller fast? Obviously if one is fasting and becomes faint, I’m not saying one can’t eat, but those are exceptions.
Yesterday, I complained on the boards about how hungry I was and at 9 PM, I was watching the clock until it became 12 AM to have some pizza. Well, I ended up falling asleep.
The whole time I was aware of why I was fasting and it was an honor for me to deny my stomach in commemoration of Christ’s death. Now, I did have one large meal and not the smaller meals. I wish I could have fasted from all solids.
I wish the guidelines were either no solids or maybe one whole meal.
I don’t consider one large meal and two small meals to be fasting. I consider it to be taking it easy. Is the one large meal/ 2 small meals rule a U.S. thing? Can posters who live outside of the US describe their fasting rule
When were the guidelines changed to 1 large meal and two small meals. Why?
Why should we not be encouraged to deny ourselves?
Now, I know anyone can fast more than is required, but why isn’t more required?
s?
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Ashurie
Guest
I had Hot Cross Buns yesterday (Good Friday) morning, had one at breakfast, and then another later on…then I went to Mass at 3pm…and started to cook my meal of fish after that. So in all I only had one meal.
I am Australian too - I doubt that will count to anything though.
I am Australian too - I doubt that will count to anything though.
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TrueLight
Guest
I wasn’t able to edit my post anymore, but what I wanted to add was this:
If the bar is set higher, won’t people reach for higher?
How did the early Christians fast?
If the bar is set higher, won’t people reach for higher?
How did the early Christians fast?
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TrueLight
Guest
Of course it counts.
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Scoobyshme
Guest
There was a young monk once, who sought out a holy hermit monk for advice. During their talk, the young monk asked if the old monk thought that future generations would be able to fast and pray all day like they did. The old monk thought a while and said that no, future generations would be so weak they would hardly even be able to fast a day, and they wouldn’t be able to pray through the night, days on end. But, he said, “They will be greater than us, however, because we fight Satan chained; they will fight Satan unchained.”
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
There’s no reason that YOU can’t go above and beyond what the Church requires or suggests. If you can perform your usual duties on zero food, go for it! It’s really hard for most people to function, but if we train ourselves, we can do a lot of stuff we’re not used to.
I ate one packet of cheese and crackers during the day yesterday, and drank water. Older son ate nothing until about 5 p.m. when he made some popcorn (he’s pretty thin and doesn’t have much margin anyway). Then I made pasta salad for the family and we all ate.
I may fast again today, I don’t have much planned and can take it easy. Actually I have found that taking no food is a bit easier for me - if I eat anything it’s as though my appetite wakes up and says, “Hey, that was good, give me MORE!” whereas if I don’t eat at all, I may be in a sort of pain but it’s not a conscious pain.
I ate one packet of cheese and crackers during the day yesterday, and drank water. Older son ate nothing until about 5 p.m. when he made some popcorn (he’s pretty thin and doesn’t have much margin anyway). Then I made pasta salad for the family and we all ate.
I may fast again today, I don’t have much planned and can take it easy. Actually I have found that taking no food is a bit easier for me - if I eat anything it’s as though my appetite wakes up and says, “Hey, that was good, give me MORE!” whereas if I don’t eat at all, I may be in a sort of pain but it’s not a conscious pain.
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valentino
Guest
I understand that you would be able to fast more often if the Church made it a rule because on your own fasting is harder.I agree that many people feel that way but if you can fast on your own it should be advantacious for you and the Church would recommend it.You are right.we have become wimpy.In times past fasting rules were more strenghuous but so as keep people frrom sinning from breaking the fast the Church has eased up.
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TrueLight
Guest
You’re right about that. On aAsh Wednesday my only meal was dinner. I was able to make it okay through breakfast and lunch (imagine the smells of take-out in the office).I may fast again today, I don’t have much planned and can take it easy. Actually I have found that taking no food is a bit easier for me - if I eat anything it’s as though my appetite wakes up and says, “Hey, that was good, give me MORE!” whereas if I don’t eat at all, I may be in a sort of pain but it’s not a conscious pain.
Yesterday, my meal was at lunch and it was incredibly hard to not eat the rest of the day.
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TrueLight
Guest
Very interesting view. Satan does seem to be unfettered these days. Isn’t that more reason to fast more?
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Learning how Eastern Christians fast, I would agree with the minimum requirements for fasting by the Roman Church. If you do not have a spiritual father or director to guide you through your fasting, you shouldn’t try to fast more without understanding why you are fasting. Fasting can also become something that its not meant to be, like a challenge of “lets see who can eat the least in the most amount of time.” Life with everything in our faith, without proper guidance, our intentions may be leading us to the wrong direction.
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Padraig1972
Guest
True Light: Battling a strong flu, i decided not to eat from thursday eve to 1 am this very morning.
Wimp you say? Nope. Remember, Christ died for our sins. Going a day without you can do.
Putting your health in jeoparday some say?
Listen to me: what did Christ for us? He took a beating that aged HIM that very day.
Remember that, all of you. And don`t forget it.
Wimp you say? Nope. Remember, Christ died for our sins. Going a day without you can do.
Putting your health in jeoparday some say?
Listen to me: what did Christ for us? He took a beating that aged HIM that very day.
Remember that, all of you. And don`t forget it.
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markomalley
Guest
(I ask these questions solely to spur discussion)
What is the purpose of fasting? What is your purpose in fasting versus what is the Church’s purpose in directing that you fast?
Can you achieve this purpose (these purposes) by fasting in accordance with the guidance from the Church? What additional benefit would there be to observing a stricter fast than is recommended by the Church?
You may wish to read On Penance and Abstinence from the USCCB (dated 1964, but still current). .
What is the purpose of fasting? What is your purpose in fasting versus what is the Church’s purpose in directing that you fast?
Can you achieve this purpose (these purposes) by fasting in accordance with the guidance from the Church? What additional benefit would there be to observing a stricter fast than is recommended by the Church?
You may wish to read On Penance and Abstinence from the USCCB (dated 1964, but still current). .
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JM3
Guest
vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
PAENITEMINI
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
PAUL VI
ON FAST AND ABSTINENCE
CHAPTER III
Therefore, the following is declared and established:
I. 1. By divine law all the faithful are required to do penance.
III. 1. The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat.
- The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.
Code of Canon Law
Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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.36 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).
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Jguerra
Guest
I still remember Ash Wednesday like it was yesterday. I tried to fast with just a bowl of Cheerios and coffee and make do with liquids the rest of the day. Didn’t make it; had to bust the fast with cheese crackers and OJ from the vending machine at work. That stopped the dizzy spells.
Joe
Joe
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