When and how do you fast?

[catherine126]

Hello,

I am familiar with the Lenten fast, but I could use some guidance about practicing fasting throughout the year.

I have just recently returned to the Church, which has necessitated a great deal of soul-searching and coping with the sorrow of sin. At least occasionally, I have decided to forgo meals as a penitential offering.

However, I am concerned that my practice has been haphazard. Intention clearly matters. Since I have a history of eating disorder that was a very traumatic experience for my family, I wish to approach this practice as prudently as possible.

Therefore, I ask you - when and how do you fast? I hope that the compare/contrast technique will shed some light on the matter.

Thanks, catherine

 

[baltobetsy]

Catherine, welcome home! It’s wonderful that you have returned to the Church and that you are experiencing sorrow for your sins.

As a person with a history of eating disorders, it is very dangerous for you to undertake fasts from food other than the mild fasts required by the Church on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Any fasting from food that you do should be under close supervision from both your priest and your doctor.

There are many other penitential practices, or fasts, if you will, that you can offer in reparation for your sins. You can fast from entertainment (TV, music, Internet), you can sleep without a pillow, you can leave the air conditioning off in your car when you are alone, you can wait a few minutes to put on a sweater when you are chilly, you can leave the good parking spaces for someone else and park far away from your destination, you can leave your uncomfortable shoes on for a while after you get home, you can sit in the uncomfortable chair so others can use the couch.

At meals, without eating less or skipping meals, you can eat more of the foods that are not your favorites and less of your favorites, you can leave off salt and pepper or condiments, you can take the least attractive serving of food on the platter so you leave the better ones for others, you can eat whatever is set before you without expressing a preference.

In your relations with others, you can take every opportunity to humble yourself. You can keep clever comments to yourself, you can omit telling the perfect joke, you can make sure you never interrupt, you can smile and give your time to those who irritate you, you can do little acts of service for people without calling attention to them.

All these little penances can be done without calling attention to yourself, something more difficult to do when you are skipping meals. Many of them make life more pleasant for others, which is a bonus. All of them can be a loving secret between you and God.

Hope this helps! May God bless you for your desire to come closer to Him.

Betsy

 

[houston1]

Hello,

I am familiar with the Lenten fast, but I could use some guidance about practicing fasting throughout the year.

I have just recently returned to the Church, which has necessitated a great deal of soul-searching and coping with the sorrow of sin. At least occasionally, I have decided to forgo meals as a penitential offering.

However, I am concerned that my practice has been haphazard. Intention clearly matters. Since I have a history of eating disorder that was a very traumatic experience for my family, I wish to approach this practice as prudently as possible.

Therefore, I ask you - when and how do you fast? I hope that the compare/contrast technique will shed some light on the matter.

Thanks, catherine

I do not fast, per se, except when required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I just try to avoid overeating and I limit myself to a certain amount of calories per day. My problem is that my limiting of food often borders into the sin of vanity (i.e., I want to be thin because it looks better than being a little heavier).

To conteract this tendancy toward sin, I try to eat blander foods that have the *same *calories as the better tasting foods (or, I will eat leftovers over many days although I’d rather toss them out and eat something new). This way my penance is focused on my tendancy toward vanity and wastefulness and not as much on intemperance.

It’s great that you are willing to fast for penitential reasons. I find giving up meals very difficult. That’s why I try to think of other ways of sacrifice. One thing to note is that you should be cautious into falling into an eating disorder again. I don’t know how severe your eating disorder was but if it was siginificant, you may consider not fasting. This may actually be the sacrifice for you. I cannot say without knowing more.

Please pray about this and consider what the Lord is calling you to sacrifice. Because of my vanity, I even considered cutting back on the make-up that I wear! That would be tough to do for me. I need to pray about that, too, I suppose.

I will also pray for you. God bless you!

 

[justamoose89]

Ever heard of the Daniel fast? You should google it. It’s based off the diet that Daniel had in the Bible, when he only ate vegetables and certain foods, and refrained from things like meat. I’m not sure what the requirements are, but I know a Daniel fast usually lasts about 30 days. I know there’s a book out there on the Daniel fast, and it includes some recipes that are tasty AND comply with the fast! I’ve also heard of many people who have benefited both spiritually and physically! And its actually pretty healthy for you. So I would say to try it

 

[BVM_1221]

Hello,

I am familiar with the Lenten fast, but I could use some guidance about practicing fasting throughout the year.

I have just recently returned to the Church, which has necessitated a great deal of soul-searching and coping with the sorrow of sin. At least occasionally, I have decided to forgo meals as a penitential offering.

However, I am concerned that my practice has been haphazard. Intention clearly matters. Since I have a history of eating disorder that was a very traumatic experience for my family, I wish to approach this practice as prudently as possible.

Therefore, I ask you - when and how do you fast? I hope that the compare/contrast technique will shed some light on the matter.

Thanks, catherine

First off, if you have a Spiritual Director, or a Priest or other religious you can trust, talk with them about fasting. Next, get a checkup from your Physician, informing them of your plans.

As for how I fast, I stick to the Church’s current guidelines, and also to the guidelines of the Conftarernity of Penitents. Here is their guide…

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CHAPTER III: FASTING

1. In keeping with section 8 of the Rule:

8a. All Fridays are days of fast for penitents. From the Feast of All Saints until Easter, penitents are to fast on Wednesdays as well. Wednesdays and Fridays are also days of abstinence, following section 6 of the Rule.

8b. Fasting guidelines shall follow current Church law and are listed in Appendix A of these Constitutions.

8c. The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.

1. In keeping with section 9 of the Rule:

9a. Penitents are to observe a pre-Christmas fast from November 12, the day after the Feast of St. Martin, until Christmas and a pre-Easter fast from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

9b. Penitents who are guests in the homes of others, or who have been invited out to eat, are permitted to eat what is set before them so as not to embarrass the host unless that day is a day of fast and/or abstinence enjoined by the Church. Penitents might consider not accepting invitations to eat out on Church enjoined days of fast and abstinence.

9c. Sundays are never days of fast or abstinence.

9d. Penitents should not fast or abstain on any of the Church Solemnities. These include the Octave of Christmas, the Feasts of New Year’s, Epiphany, Annunciation, the Octave of Easter, the Feasts of the Ascension, Assumption, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, and all other Solemnities of the Church.

9e. Penitents are permitted to celebrate with between meal snacks birthday parties, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and other special occasions unless these would fall on a fast day enjoined by the Church.

9f. Additional exceptions to the fasting provisions of this Rule are listed under sections 6, 10, and 11 of the Rule and Constitutions and in Appendix A to these Constitutions.

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I hope you paid very special attention to section 8c. And here is the current Church rules…

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER II AND CHAPTER III

CURRENT CHURCH REGULATIONS ON FASTING AND ABSTINENCE

Penitents observe all Church prescribed days of fast and abstinence as well as additional days required by the Rule itself. Current Church regulations on fasting and abstinence are these:

Fast: The law of fast prescribes that only one full meal a day be taken; but it does not forbid taking some nourishment at two other times during the day. The two smaller meals should be sufficient to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including ordinary, homogenized milk and fruit juices, are allowed. Malted milks, milk shakes, and the like are not included in the term “milk.” All those from eighteen years of age to the beginning of their sixtieth year are bound by the law of fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Abstinence: The law of abstinence forbids the eating of meat, but not eggs, milk products, nor condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat. Forbidden are the flesh meat of warm blooded animals and all parts of such animals. This does not include meat juices, broths, soups, lards, gravies, sauces, animal fats, and liquid foods made from meat. Also allowed are fish and all such cold-blooded animals such as frogs, shell-fish, clams, turtles, oysters, crabs, and lobsters. All those who have completed their fourteenth year are bound to the law of abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all the Friday’s of Lent.

The substantial observance of the laws of fast and abstinence is a serious obligation. When a proportionately serious reason exists, there is surely no sin in departing from these norms. Thus, one may very well be excused by sickness or any infirmity which requires that one eat meat even on Friday during Lent, by the need to take one’s meals in common, by travel when it is not possible to obtain readily permissible foods, by great poverty, etc.

(Source: The Pastoral Companion: A Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry, Franciscan Herald Press: Chicago, Illinois, 1995, pp. 292-96).

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I eat only two meals a day, omitting breakfast. Dinner and supper, or lunch and dinner. So in a way I fast every day. No big deal for me, I have been given the grace to do so.

Any questions? Fell free to ask.

Oh, and website for Confraternity of Penitents is…

penitents.org/

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello,
However, I am concerned that my practice has been haphazard. Intention clearly matters. Since I have a history of eating disorder that was a very traumatic experience for my family, I wish to approach this practice as prudently as possible.

this is a similar situation to someone who suffers from scrupulosity, who is counselled to undertake no spiritual discipline or penance without permission from their regular confessor or spiritual director. Because of your history you should put yourself under spiritual direction before attempting any kind of fasting from food. Obedience is the mother of humility which is the springboard for all the other virtues. If you have any medical condition, including the symptoms that often indicate an eating disorder, but also diabetes or something, you also need your doctor’s permission for any type of food fast, and make sure your spiritual director knows about that as well.

For most Catholics, they should not attempt anything beyond the fasting discipline of the Church described above without guidance of a confessor or spiritual director and yes all such penance should be intentional and prayerful.

I am on a medical diet for diabetes so I don’t add or subtract anything else, and am too old to be bound by Lenten fasting in any case, and abstinence is no trick because I eat so much fish. But that by itself is not a spiritual practice unless I make it so by entrusting my disorder to God, making adherence to the health practices necessitated by the disorder an act of obedience and humility, and intentionally dedicate that adherence to God in my morning offering. I learned that in reading about Venerable Matt Talbott who overcame his drinking by offering his abstinence daily, intentionally, in prayer to God.

 

[catherine126]

Thanks so much for your replies, sisters and brothers.

There are many other penitential practices, or fasts, if you will, that you can offer in reparation for your sins. You can fast from entertainment (TV, music, Internet), you can sleep without a pillow, you can leave the air conditioning off in your car when you are alone, you can wait a few minutes to put on a sweater when you are chilly, you can leave the good parking spaces for someone else and park far away from your destination, you can leave your uncomfortable shoes on for a while after you get home, you can sit in the uncomfortable chair so others can use the couch.

Betsy, those are some wonderful ideas. The Internet fast would probably do me the most good of all!

My problem is that my limiting of food often borders into the sin of vanity (i.e., I want to be thin because it looks better than being a little heavier).

houston1, I think you just made an excellent point. I am so guilty of this sin each and every time I open my closet and wish I had nicer clothes, rather than simply being grateful for being clothed. Jesus, forgive me.

BVM 1221, I had not heard of the Confraternity of Penitents. I am sure their information will be helpful to me. And yes, I read 8c a few times carefully…just as a reminder to myself, here it is again:

8c. The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.

The rule about consulting with a spiritual director is absolutely appropriate for me. Thanks for sharing this.

justamoose89, I admit that I’m not ready for a 30 day fast, but recipe ideas for simple food are always welcome!

this is a similar situation to someone who suffers from scrupulosity, who is counselled to undertake no spiritual discipline or penance without permission from their regular confessor or spiritual director. Because of your history you should put yourself under spiritual direction before attempting any kind of fasting from food. Obedience is the mother of humility which is the springboard for all the other virtues. If you have any medical condition, including the symptoms that often indicate an eating disorder, but also diabetes or something, you also need your doctor’s permission for any type of food fast, and make sure your spiritual director knows about that as well.

puzzleannie, I had not even heard the term “scrupulosity” before, and that such obsession in itself is a sin against faith, hope, and charity. Wow! Now that’s food for thought

I find myself instantly rebelling against the notion of receiving permission to fast…which of course means that I really ought to humble myself in this way! Thanks for helping me uncover this way of looking at the practice.

 

[puzzleannie]

Thanks so much for your replies, sisters and brothers.
puzzleannie, I had not even heard the term “scrupulosity” before, and that such obsession in itself is a sin against faith, hope, and charity. Wow! Now that’s food for thought

uh, I did not say this and I don’t know where you heard it, scrupulosity is not a sin, it is a disorder that can be either or both spiritual or psychological.

I

find myself instantly rebelling against the notion of receiving permission to fast…which of course means that I really ought to humble myself in this way! Thanks for helping me uncover this way of looking at the practice.

obedience is the hallmark of one who is truly committed to spiritual growth . if we find ourselves saying “I really want to fast” or “I really want to feel better so what prayer or devotion should I use” we need help in chaning our focus from our own emotions to reflection on Christ’s passion, suffering and resurrection.

 

[baltobetsy]

I find myself instantly rebelling against the notion of receiving permission to fast…which of course means that I really ought to humble myself in this way! Thanks for helping me uncover this way of looking at the practice.

Catherine, I’m really impressed with how well you know yourself and how wise you are to realize this about humility. Stay this way always, and God will be able to make a great saint out of you.

Betsy

 

[Angelic_Rose]

Hello,

I am familiar with the Lenten fast, but I could use some guidance about practicing fasting throughout the year.

I have just recently returned to the Church, which has necessitated a great deal of soul-searching and coping with the sorrow of sin. At least occasionally, I have decided to forgo meals as a penitential offering.

This is just my two cents being thrown into the pot, from a Catholic sister.

When I make the decision to fast, my focus is not on the “abandonment of food” but the “filling up of my spirit”. I think about what sins/habits/prayer intentions I’m focusing on and then plan my prayer time/spiritual time around that. If it happens to cut into my normal eating routines, then so be it— I may plan for a day of prayer or at least focus on something in particular and hence it happens.

Another mention I might try is by doing charity work while avoiding food. For example, instead of me preparing a meal for myself, I might take that money I would spend on myself and buy food for a charity. I might put some of my grocery money towards a site like Kiva, which helps people around the world start up and improve their businesses or another site (I forget which) that helps provide school loans for poor people.

These are just ways God has shown me how I could fast while repenting or doing good. Once again, its all about what you’re focusing on— and food should not be the true focus of fasting.

 

[catherine126]

uh, I did not say this and I don’t know where you heard it, scrupulosity is not a sin, it is a disorder that can be either or both spiritual or psychological.

Sorry, puzzleannie, I was adding my own thoughts there. You are right, suffering from scrupulosity is not a sin, but a disorder that requires pastoral and psychological care.

My concern with sins against faith, hope and charity is another topic entirely that requires more thought and prayer on my part.

if we find ourselves saying “I really want to fast” or “I really want to feel better so what prayer or devotion should I use” we need help in changing our focus from our own emotions to reflection on Christ’s passion, suffering and resurrection.

Wow, that’s definitely a way to put my thoughts and feelings into perspective. When we as penitents pray to amend our lives, Christ is King! I suppose that our physical means of expressing contrition have to be secondary to the spiritual reflections thereof.

I might put some of my grocery money towards a site like Kiva, which helps people around the world start up and improve their businesses or another site (I forget which) that helps provide school loans for poor people.

Thanks, Sister, this is a great idea! I’m familiar with Kiva, but I admit that I have not used the site in over a year. Looks like a great opportunity for charitable contributions.

food should not be the true focus of fasting

What a simple truth, and yet I find it difficult! Sometimes, I just have to laugh at myself.

 

[puzzleannie]

what we did as a family when our kids were home was to fast and tithe whenever we went shopping for groceries or clothing, that is intentionally forego some treat or some wanted item and instead purchase an item for St. Vincent, or donate a like amount at the cash register, which you can do in many stores, for the local food bank. We would ask if they were willing to making such a sacrifice, and sometimes they were not, but we thought the reminder to be thoughtful and intentional was important. they are, for the record, very generous adults today.