Questions About Fasts

[lp22]

Greetings, I wasn’t sure where to post these questions. I know what the Catholic church says a “fast” is these days but I have questions about the type of fasts I read about saints doing and long-term fasts, esp. as we approach Lent.

My questions about fasts are:

—What kind of fast do you think Jesus did when He did His 40-day fast? With juices? Water only? Water and bread only?

—I often read about saints who fasted in the old days. What type of fast did they do?

—Jesus said, For this type of demon you must fast and pray. The way He says this it sounds like fasting under these circumstances is more than a sacrifice, self denying penance. Besides these purposes, what is the fasting for that helps get rid of this type of demon?

Privately, I am having trouble on the 2nd day of a no food fast (almost passing out, needing to stay in bed). Now I give in and take juice. I don’t know if it’s ok to have coffee under the old ‘fast’ definition either or not. I don’t know where to find information like this. The biographies often say ‘she fasted’ but don’t elaborate. I think John vianney ate a boiled potato a day on his long severe fasts but I’m not sure about this either.

I would be so grateful for any info anyone has on any of these points. Thank you!

 

[Hope1954]

Hello Ip 22,
I can’t help you out any but thought it was a coincidence since I was considering fasting also but was not sure how to go about it. I have tried some mild fasting in the past, but am very weak and ended up thinking about food all day! I was wondering if oatmeal 3 times a day was a fast. Is it a matter of giving up things you like or a matter of being hungry and not eating?
Can anyone out there help us out?

 

[saskatoon]

I have been told that fasting is limiting the amount of food for 2 meals during the day and a normal meal as the 3rd meal and that meal should be the main meal. Just make sure you are able to fast. If you are a certain age,young child, or have an illness/disease (ie diabetes) then you are not obligated to fast. maybe incorporate more fiber in your meals, it will help you feel satisfied without really undoing the fast and drink plenty of water, which is also a good filler. I probably would not eat oatmeal 3x/day :hypno: even though it is good for you, there probably wouldn’t be enough calories to get by on. I would (and usually do) have just a sandwich and drink for lunch and not order chips or fries, you are eating less but still getting good nutrition. Good luck!

I can’t fast because I have diabetes, but usually give up 3-4 of my really favorite things in place of fasting. Chocolate is the hardest for me.

 

[david_friol]

Here is some info. for you.
[For Roman Catholics, fasting is the reduction of one’s intake of food to one full meal (which may not contain meat during Fridays in Lent) and two small meals (known liturgically as collations, taken in the morning and the evening). Eating solid food between meals is not permitted. Fasting is required of the faithful between the ages of 21 and 60 on specified days. Complete abstinence, required of those older than 14, is the avoidance of meat for the entire day. Partial abstinence prescribes that meat be taken only once during the course of the day. To some Roman Catholics, fasting still means consuming nothing but water.

Pope Pius XII had initially relaxed some of the regulations concerning fasting in 1956. In 1966, Pope Paul VI in his apostolic constitution Paenitemini, changed the strictly regulated Roman Catholic fasting requirements. He recommended that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation, and that all Catholics voluntarily fast and abstain. In the United States, there are only two obligatory days of fast - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence: those observing the practice may not eat meat. Pastoral teachings since 1966 have urged voluntary fasting during Lent and voluntary abstinence on the other Fridays of the year. The regulations concerning such activities do not apply when the ability to work or the health of a person would be negatively affected.

Prior to the changes made by Pius XII and Paul VI, fasting and abstinence were more strictly regulated. The church had prescribed that Roman Catholics observe fasting and/or abstinence on a number of days throughout the year.

In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Roman Catholics must also observe the Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water and medicines into the body for one hour before receiving the Eucharist. The ancient practice was to fast from midnight until Mass that day, but as Masses after noon and in the evening became common, this was soon modified to fasting for three hours. Current law requires merely one hour of eucharistic fast, although some Roman Catholics still abide by the older rules.

The Catholic Church has also promoted a Black Fast, in which in addition to water, bread is consumed. Typically, this form of fasting was only used by monks and other religious individuals who practice mortifications and asceticism, but all Catholics are invited to take part in it with the advice and consent of their Spiritual Director.]

I got that off the internet for you. But I thought I’d add my own 2 cents since I’m already here. The key to fasting is to fast with some purpose in mind. For example, in reparation of some sin of yours or those of your loved ones, for conversion, peace , end to abortion, etc.(it does not have to be resticted to only one thing either ) This is important because when it becomes difficult you can then recall why or for whom you are offering this small sacrifice for and then you will be lifted up and strengthened in your will to push on through. There is much I could say but I don’t want to overload you so I’ll leave you with one word of caution. Beware of the evil one who tries to push you to do more and more and more. He poses as an angel of light and tries to make you think it is God who is desireing you to do more. God does not need your fasts! fasting is for us to help us put aside our needs and desires for the sake of grow in our spiritual life and it is also for the benefit of those we fast for. So start your fast and never feel guilty about stopping. Jesus loves you and is happy when we do even the smallest thing for others or for sorrow of our sins. AND ALWAYS BE A HAPPY FASTER!!!

 

[lp22]

Thanks so much for the (name removed by moderator)ut - all of it.

To some Roman Catholics, fasting still means consuming nothing but water.

So I imagine that is what Jesus did for 40 days?

Yes, I get extremely weak, too. At about 3pm I just start to pass out. I’m hypothyroid and thought it was blood sugar. But now I’m thinking it might be my heart since it can be damaged when electrolytes get low as in fasting.

But I really really really want to make this sacrifice since I am too afraid to do some of the other mortifications I read about.

I started drinking V8 and it brings me back but it does kind of satisfy the hunger. I wondered if that totally defeats the whole effort.

Eating solid food between meals is not permitted.

Perhaps if we are exempt from fasting as sick or old people, then juice will help us fast completely. The 2 small meals and 1 large one is too much like a normal day for me to consider it a fast.

The regulations concerning such activities do not apply when the ability to work or the health of a person would be negatively affected.

There you are.

The Catholic Church has also promoted a Black Fast, in which in addition to water, bread is consumed. Typically, this form of fasting was only used by monks and other religious individuals who practice mortifications and asceticism, but all Catholics are invited to take part in it with the advice and consent of their Spiritual Director.]

That’s very interesting and news to me! Maybe that will help. Thank you so much!

 

[lp22]

—Jesus said, For this type of demon you must fast and pray. The way He says this it sounds like fasting, under these circumstances and for this purpose, is for more than a sacrifice. What do you think the fasting DOES that helps to get rid of demons?

I still can’t figure that out. And if I knew what it *does * I might be able to figure out what type of fast is necessary - or if my juice fast will do just fine. (Does that make sense?)

Thank you for your help! You’ve been so helpful!

 

[puzzleannie]

Thanks so much for the (name removed by moderator)ut - all of it.

So I imagine that is what Jesus did for 40 days?

Yes, I get extremely weak, too. At about 3pm I just start to pass out. I’m hypothyroid and thought it was blood sugar. But now I’m thinking it might be my heart since it can be damaged when electrolytes get low as in fasting.
!

you should not be doing any kind of fast if you have health issues without the permission of your doctor, and in general, we should not undertake any fast or penitential practice beyond the tradition prescriptions of the Church without the advice and permission of our confessor or spiritual director. “What I want to do” is not a good guide to “what God wants me to do.”

The traditional fast is the standard one meal and two smaller meals (if necessary to keep up strength) which together do not equal an entire meal, and abstinence from meat of warm blooded animals.

Yes the Eastern Churches have their own discipline which you would follow if you belong to one of them.

 

[lp22]

you should not be doing any kind of fast if you have health issues without the permission of your doctor, and in general, we should not undertake any fast or penitential practice beyond the tradition prescriptions of the Church without the advice and permission of our confessor or spiritual director. “What I want to do” is not a good guide to “what God wants me to do.”

People who post here will probably not post their sources of inspiration or their entire life stories. So we can’t assume they haven’t talked to their doctors or their spiritual directors or that they don’t have another good reason for doing what they are doing.

Nor can we assume that they are just doing what they want to do and ignoring God’s will.

Do you know what type of fast Jesus did? I am so interested in finding this out.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

you should not be doing any kind of fast if you have health issues without the permission of your doctor, and in general, we should not undertake any fast or penitential practice beyond the tradition prescriptions of the Church without the advice and permission of our confessor or spiritual director. “What I want to do” is not a good guide to “what God wants me to do.”

The traditional fast is the standard one meal and two smaller meals (if necessary to keep up strength) which together do not equal an entire meal, and abstinence from meat of warm blooded animals.

Yes the Eastern Churches have their own discipline which you would follow if you belong to one of them.

Yeah, exactly. Sick people are not required to fast (nor probably should they).

And if you’re feeling weak, dizzy, whatever, talk to both a doctor AND a priest.

We assume that Jesus went without food or water for the entire 40 days, but I may be mistaken.

 

[RosalieM]

I recall reading that wine was permissible during a fast. (No mention of any other type of alcohol or how much wine. I would assume one or two glasses of wine.)
Here’s my idea for fasting:

breakfast: coffee and a soy protein milk shake, daily vitamin supplements

lunch: a light main meal with seafood and/or soy product, vegetables

dinner: soy protein milk shake and fruit

(and maybe a glass of wine later)

I think it sounds healthy and yet seems to be meeting the requirements for fasting. Water could be consumed at any time.
Does this sound right?

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Also I don’t remember if V-8 or tomato juice is permissible between meals when fasting. I know black coffee and tea is.

Perfect! Starving AND jittery.

 

[david_friol]

you should not be doing any kind of fast if you have health issues without the permission of your doctor, and in general, we should not undertake any fast or penitential practice beyond the tradition prescriptions of the Church without the advice and permission of our confessor or spiritual director. “What I want to do” is not a good guide to “what God wants me to do.”

The traditional fast is the standard one meal and two smaller meals (if necessary to keep up strength) which together do not equal an entire meal, and abstinence from meat of warm blooded animals.

Yes the Eastern Churches have their own discipline which you would follow if you belong to one of them.

I agree with Puzzleannie that your health comes first. There are many different types of fasts and they do not have to be from food entirely. you could fast from tv or some favorite activity of yours in order to give that time for others in prayer. One other thing, do not place to much concern in trying to figure out what God wants you to do in this area, just trust that he loves you and knows you are trying and he gives you the choice in this wonderful life that he gave you to give back to him what you can out of love for him and those around you

God bless you and your family!

 

[overfien]

Throughout the bible there is only 3 people who is recorded doing a 40 day fast: Jesus, Moses and Elijah

The gospel only says Jesus did not eat anything 40 days. There is no comment about drinking water.

Where Moses fast he didn’t drink water for 40 days. As pointed out in Exodus 34:28

Elijah (1 Kings 19:7-9)

Ezra fast is usually considered a 3 day fast no water no food.

Personally when I do a water fast I find if you can get past the 3 day mark things become a whole lot easier, as long as your not around food. Don’t be suprised if people out of the woodworks will come forward and ask to take you out to eat, kindly turn them down and remember why you started this journey (of the fast).

 

[EOOKOYE]

About 10 years ago, I participated in a 3 days jungle fasting (without water or food, but the Holy Eucharist) organised yearly by the late chaplain of Blue Army Confratanity in my diocese. The first day was not easy but after the seconday day untill the last, I felt like continuing on and on and on.
However, If I a sinner seeking God’s mercies can endure such a fast for 3 days, then we need not doubt/assume that our Lord and Saviour Jesus can fast for 40 days without water or food. Also, if He had tasted something, the devil would not have tempted him with a loaf of bread.

 

[mahalia]

I think that the modern definition of fast - one full meal and two small ones - is a bit strange, since it should be normal to eat like that during the whole year.
There were saints in the past who completely abstained from food, and through God’s grace lived only on the Holy Eucharist.
Some lived on bread and water, and so on.

I’ll copy-paste a question posed by Hope 1954:
Is it a matter of giving up things you like or a matter of being hungry and not eating?

It’s both, actually. In these modern times we are used to saying that fasting can be replaced by giving up something we like, or doing good deeds, or praying. But it is not a coincidence that all religions recognize fasting as a way of getting closer to God - abstaining from food and getting control over your body can be very useful for your spiritual welfare.
True wish to do penance + fasting + praying + good deeds = a steady Christian

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

No one says fasting can be replaced. It’s abstaining from meat that can be replaced.