What does the Lenten Fast involve?

[LiamNL]

I have never done a Lenten Fast before… but I’m going to start.

Is it just one meal I can eat on Fridays? No meat?
I’ve tried searching around but I’m reading conflicting things.

 

[brad90956]

Here is a link from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that should answer your question:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm

There are more links at the bottom of the page under “More Information” that are also helpful.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

These are the rules for the United States. If you are in another country you need to check with your bishops’ conference.

There are two ideas involved, fasting and abstinence. Fasting means eating less while abstinence means avoiding meat.

All of the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Catholics don’t eat meat on Lenten Fridays. (Meat includes beef, pork, poultry, etc. Animal products such as cheese and eggs are fine as well as fish.)

In addition, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of both fasting and abstinence. You eat less and what you eat does not include meat.

Catholics have a rather loose definition of fasting compared to other religions. On a fast day you may eat one normal meal. If you need it, you may eat up to two additional small meals that together are less food than a normal meal.

Info from the USCCB: usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm

 

[LiamNL]

Awesome.
Thank you, both of you!