Substitute for fasting on Ash Wednesday

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Chiro

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Hi everyone! I am thinking ahead to my preparations for Lent and was wondering about the Ash Wednesday fast. I’ve got Type 1 diabetes, which makes eating a meal and collations difficult (I find it easier and better for my blood sugar control if I eat frequent small meals, and if my blood sugar drops too low then I must eat!). Are there any substitutions I can make for being unable to fast properly on AW? Thanks 🙂
 
I know someone who fasts from hot showers, someone else who sleeps on the floor on Friday nights.
 
Though you are exempt due to medical reasons for fasting, looks like you still want to participate. You can participate by doing what you think you can do within the margins of your dietary needs. Or, go see your Endo and get nutritional advice and just let them know that you want to participate in a fast (it’s not that bad of a fast, limiting meals and food more like it).

And, finding a suitable substitute form of fasting would work too … just not the same feel of that primordial hunger pang that takes us all the way down to our material needs!
 
Chiro said:
Hi everyone! I am thinking ahead to my preparations for Lent and was wondering about the Ash Wednesday fast. I’ve got Type 1 diabetes, which makes eating a meal and collations difficult (I find it easier and better for my blood sugar control if I eat frequent small meals, and if my blood sugar drops too low then I must eat!). Are there any substitutions I can make for being unable to fast properly on AW? Thanks 🙂
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You could certainly fast from something else, like TV.
 
See? Not so bad!

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church.

If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
 
Unless you’re already at the point, like me, where you barely turn the thing on anymore. Then it’s not giving anything up to just leave it off 🙂

To the OP: You can
  • speak to your priest about a good substitute for fasting, OR
  • give up something else you enjoy on a daily basis that isn’t food, OR
  • just plan to spend extra time in prayer on Ash Wednesday than you normally do. Say a rosary, or if you normally say a daily rosary anyway, say a 15 or 20 decade one. Make the Stations of the Cross, etc.
 
The best person you can ask was your personal physician if you plan to join the Holy Week penance act of fasting by the faithful. Normally, people suffering from illnesses are not required for health reasons. Just the same, your physician may suggest a few health routines and food substitutes to guide you.
 
My aunt was a Type 1 diabetic. She always received a dispensation from fasting during Lent due to her extremely fragile health.

The Church will never put anyone’s health at risk. Those with medical conditions are always encouraged to listen to their drs and follow their advice regarding nutrition and health even during the season of Lent.

What if you were to substitute abstaining from something like TV or the Internet? Give up a bad habit and substitute it with something good.

Do more praying. Attend Daily Mass if you are able to. These are good habits you want to cultivate while smoking or drinking would be habits you would want to eliminate if you indulge in them.

God bless you.
 
Norms for Friday abstinence vary from country to country. What you write here reflects the norms for Latin Catholics in the US. In the UK, Catholics are asked to abstain from meat during all Fridays throughout the year. Here in Canada, other penances can be substituted for abstinence all through the year, including Fridays in Lent… Ash Wednesday and Good Friday being the two exceptions.
 
I will say this. Even though your fasting is excused, still allow it to be a spiritual day. Fast from something else.
One of my priests told me fasting traditionally refers to food, and yes it is depriving and a rich soul searching practice. I try to every Friday actually.
If you can’t give up food, give up another thing in your daily life that may deprive you of spirituality. Fast from television or the internet. Ironically some say in today’s world that may actually be a more beneficial "fast ".
 
One thing I’ve done in the past is a sort of “simple foods” fast - basically stick to foods that are nutritionally adequate, but without making an attempt to cook or season anything beyond what is necessary for edibility.
 
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