The Meaning of Fasting in the Church

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What is the Catholic teaching on fasting? What is dry fasting all about? One who is fasting is sh/e supposed to take water? What is the benefits of fasting in the church especially for those that fast on Sunday? Also is fasting on Sunday/solemnity encouraged? Thank you as I anticipate your in depth answers.
 
One who is fasting is sh/e supposed to take water?
i would certainly hope so, since you’ll be risking your health seriously if you don’t.
Even the fast prior to Communion in the Catholic Church permits you to drink water.
What is the benefits of fasting in the church especially for those that fast on Sunday? Also is fasting on Sunday/solemnity encouraged?
Fasting on Sundays and solemnities is strongly discouraged by the Church, except for the one-hour fast before Holy Communion. During the one-hour fast you are permitted to take water and medication. The purpose of the fast is to show respect for the fact that you will be receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
 
Ritual fasting for Catholics is one modest meal per day; you are permitted two smaller meals that together don’t equal that one modest meal. (I’m inserting the word modest because some people go overboard and miss the point.) Individuals will take things a little further as they have discerned appropriate for themselves, often with guidance from a spiritual director. Others are not going to be able to keep to this simply due to health, and that’s perfectly ok.

Edit to add: you’ll find disagreements over liquid intake and what “counts” and doesn’t toward breaking the fast. For some, water only is permitted; for others, any essentially non-caloric liquid is ok. The Church doesn’t strictly define these things for us as the intent of the fast is more important than the actual details.
 
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There are medically documented cases of very religious folks who lived on the Eucharist only for weeks/months. These would have been very Holy folks. And the events have been described as miracles.
 
Fasting is denial of self (the opposite of selfishness). It is a way of seeking God.
 
What is the Catholic teaching on fasting? What is dry fasting all about? One who is fasting is sh/e supposed to take water? What is the benefits of fasting in the church especially for those that fast on Sunday? Also is fasting on Sunday/solemnity encouraged? Thank you as I anticipate your in depth answers.
Purpose: the necessity of fasting is because every rational creature is bound to labor intelligently for the subjugation of concupiscence. For penance, in order to purify our hearts in preparation for a great feast.

There are a few periods of fast and abstinence:
  • Eucharistic (only water allowed)
  • Penitential seasons: Nativity (Fall), Lenten (Winter), Sts. Peter and Paul (Spring), Dormition (Summer)
  • Before or on some Feasts
  • Fridays in general
Observation varies with each Catholic church sui iuris (i.e., Latin or eastern).
 
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Fasting is in the gospel and the rest of the bible. Jesus fasted. It is a way to focus upon God and deepen our prayer life. Jesus tells us some things will not change without prayer and fasting.
 
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