What is my Good Friday obligation?

[Jesness]

This may seem like a stupid question, and I’m not sure if they covered it in RCIA, but from reading the posts here I’m getting the feeling that I am supposed to be fasting in a different way than normal for lent. (Normally I abstain from meat.) Am I supposed to be holding a strict fast? (No food) Is there anything else I should or should not be doing today? Please help, thanks.

 

[Elsport1]

Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. By law you may have two small meals that don’t equal one meal and then a meal as well. No meat is allowed. Of course you could choose to impose a stricter fast on yourself but what I’ve listed is the bare minimum required.

 

[odile53]

Fast and abstinence in the US. If you can get to a Good Friday liturgy, that’s great. And there are other traditions, like observing silence from the hours of noon to three pm.

 

[losh14]

Observing silence from noon to 3 is one I’ve not heard but I think that lends well to the solemn character of the day, especially for those of us who have to work.

Fasting is certainly good and called for, but if fasting is not appropriate to your health (ie, hypoglycemic, diabetic, pregnant) then consider an alternative. Some local Jesuits did a full-Lent fast week-by-week: first week, they turned off the heat; second week, it was hot water; third week, no cooked food; fourth week, no lights, etc.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Any person under the age of 7, over the age of 65, or who has health reasons that are legitimate, is excused from fasting and abstinence. ALL members of the Armed Forces are excused (although it is encouraged).

You can do all kinds of things, if you choose to. Silence between 12-3 is an old devotion, but not very practical if you work, go to school, have young children, etc.

Some people do totally fast; some totally fast during the day, etc., etc.

The Church does not require any religious service be attended. It does not require than any specific devotion, or sacrifice be made. It ONLY requires fasting and abstinence, for those appropriate.

 

[BVM_1221]

Fast and abstinence in the US. If you can get to a Good Friday liturgy, that’s great. And there are other traditions, like observing silence from the hours of noon to three pm.

I’ll have to skip that one. My daily AA meeting is Noon - 1:30 PM. And boy do we talk!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Any person under the age of 7, over the age of 65, or who has health reasons that are legitimate, is excused from fasting and abstinence. ALL members of the Armed Forces are excused (although it is encouraged)…

Over 65 is excused from fasting, but not from abstinence.

 

[MontChevalier]

Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. By law you may have two small meals that don’t equal one meal and then a meal as well. No meat is allowed. Of course you could choose to impose a stricter fast on yourself but what I’ve listed is the bare minimum required.

Aw man, I wish I had known.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

God bless you in your AA meetings and soberiety, BVM. What a wonderful testimony of courage and strength to be fighting alcoholism like you’re doing. God bless you!

I’ll have to skip that one. My daily AA meeting is Noon - 1:30 PM. And boy do we talk!

 

[dixieagle]

Over 65 is excused from fasting, but not from abstinence.

Actually, one is excused from fasting from the 59th birthday (beginning of the 60th year):

Can. 1252: The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

 

[Jesness]

I only had dinner yesterday and two snacks in the morning (Those I had before I knew we were supposed to be fasting.) Does the fast hold over to today? I know there is an hour fast before I receive communion tonight at the Easter Vigil. We are planning to get dinner afterwards. Is this appropriate?

Also, thanks for everyone who commented. I actually like the silence fast… That seems like something nice to do during the week, not just during lent. (Oy, and for me that would be a harder fast than giving up food. XD I love to run my mouth.)

 

[jmcrae]

I only had dinner yesterday and two snacks in the morning (Those I had before I knew we were supposed to be fasting.) Does the fast hold over to today? I know there is an hour fast before I receive communion tonight at the Easter Vigil. We are planning to get dinner afterwards. Is this appropriate?

At our parish, we are holding a celebration dinner for all of our Catechumens after the Easter Vigil, in our Parish Hall - so I would say, yes, it would be very appropriate for you to have dinner after Easter Vigil, to celebrate.