What did they tell you about fasting?

[Pug]

Every time lent comes, our parish places information in the bulletin about fasting. This year, the description was different. I’m not interested in finding out about how to fast as described by the pope or magisterium. What I want to know is, what are they telling Catholics about fasting/abstinence locally?

The thing that was noticeably different in my bulletin:

No drinking is allowed between meals on fast days, except water/medecine. Also, we were “strongly recommended” to fast on all Wed and all Fri of Lent, and encouraged to do it on all the weekdays of lent.

I’ve never seen the drinking thing in the bulletin before.

 

[Joysong]

Well, Pug, every bishop is in charge of disciplines and liturgy in his own diocese. You might check with a couple other parishes in your diocese [or call the chancery directly] to see if the same instruction is given.

Generally, the requirement about water or medicine is not something we do in our diocese, but I cannot say how other Bishops will regard the discipline. I remember in one diocese recently when St. Patrick’s day fell on Friday in lent, that the abstinence was lifted, yet in another diocese it was not lifted at all.

You said that fasting is “encouraged” more often than the two mandated days [Ash Wednesday and Good Friday]. No person is under pain of sin to do so, and it is purely a personal devotion if one does this. Naturally, the form of penance should be up to the person, for those who fast may neglect more weightier matters. The latter is something that the Lord asks of each person.

If your hand is an occasion of sin, cut it off. If your eye, pluck it out. I try to nip in the bud those occasions that cause me to sin, which is far more serious, rather than focus on other disciplines. But to each, his own.

 

[MaryD7]

Ours was the standard “fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday / one single full meal and two light sustenances on two other occasions during the day.”

There was no mention of beverages.

 

[Andruschak]

Every time lent comes, our parish places information in the bulletin about fasting. This year, the description was different. I’m not interested in finding out about how to fast as described by the pope or magisterium. What I want to know is, what are they telling Catholics about fasting/abstinence locally?

The thing that was noticeably different in my bulletin:

No drinking is allowed between meals on fast days, except water/medecine. Also, we were “strongly recommended” to fast on all Wed and all Fri of Lent, and encouraged to do it on all the weekdays of lent.

I’ve never seen the drinking thing in the bulletin before.

At my Church, last Sundays bulletin had no mention of Lent requirements. Perhaps it was mentioned at mass after the Communion, but as an RCIA Candidate I was dismissed along with the RCIA catecumans.

No drinking? And here I thought the rules allowed milk, juices, tea, coffee and so on. But not milk shakes and malts.

As a recovered alcoholic, I have refrained from alcohol for almost 23 years. No problem there.

 

[Pug]

Well, Pug, every bishop is in charge of disciplines and liturgy in his own diocese.

Thanks, Joysong. I knew this, yet for some reason it didn’t cross my mind that my bishop could have requested everyone in the diocese to change it this year. I know someone else on this board from my diocese, so maybe I’ll PM them.

 

[Tietjen]

Every time lent comes, our parish places information in the bulletin about fasting. This year, the description was different. I’m not interested in finding out about how to fast as described by the pope or magisterium. What I want to know is, what are they telling Catholics about fasting/abstinence locally?

The thing that was noticeably different in my bulletin:

No drinking is allowed between meals on fast days, except water/medecine. Also, we were “strongly recommended” to fast on all Wed and all Fri of Lent, and encouraged to do it on all the weekdays of lent.

I’ve never seen the drinking thing in the bulletin before.

Here is what was put out in my diocese:
Diocese of Nashville:

Fasting and Abstinence

• During Lent all from the age of 14 throughout life are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays.
• Those from the age of 18 until the day after their 59th birthday are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• A fast is one full meal and two lighter meals.
• All are generally obliged to do penance.
• In addition to fast and abstinence the obligation may be discharged by other good works, such as voluntary abstinence, prayer, self-denial, almsgiving and acts of charity.

 

[Pug]

No drinking? And here I thought the rules allowed milk, juices, tea, coffee and so on. But not milk shakes and malts.

Harry,

I wish I could point you to the thread where we talked about this last year, but the forums had a huge crash that wiped out thousands of threads about a year ago, so I’d bet it doesn’t exist anymore.

Anyway, the consensus on that thread was just as you say. That’s why I was surprised to see what I did in our bulletin. Joysong is right about a bishop being able to set up local rules. Follow YOUR local rules. Don’t worry!

Congratulations on being dry for so many years!