When does the Friday fast end?

[_SweetPea]

I assumed it was midnight, but a friend said no. He said Vespers is the start of the next day, so he does the Friday fast from Thursday evening until Friday evening. He argues sundown being the beginning of the day and I argue the Sunday fast before communion having been from midnight before it was changed to 1 hour. He says, yes, but you can have Saturday Mass because it is after Vespers and is part of the next liturgical day. Now we’re looking for a source that says when it is to break the stale mate. Do you know where rules like that are written? Where can I look?..Patricia

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Vespers is part of the next day only on Saturday. All the other days you pray for that day. On Saturday evening you pray evening prayer I for Sunday and on Sunday evening you pray evening prayer II for Sunday. The same happens on solemnities.

Other than Saturday evening-Sunday days run from midnight to midnight. So if your intent is to abstain from meat on a Friday, you need to finish your hamburger by 11:59pm on Thursday and don’t start on your steak until 12:01am on Saturday.

 

[Andruschak]

Vespers is part of the next day only on Saturday. All the other days you pray for that day. On Saturday evening you pray evening prayer I for Sunday and on Sunday evening you pray evening prayer II for Sunday. The same happens on solemnities.

Other than Saturday evening-Sunday days run from midnight to midnight. So if your intent is to abstain from meat on a Friday, you need to finish your hamburger by 11:59pm on Thursday and don’t start on your steak until 12:01am on Saturday.

Absolutely correct.

However, there is no reason you cannot extend the time if you think you have good reasons to do so. In my case, I work the swing shift at the Post Office. My day starts around 10 AM, and ends when I go to bed at 2 AM. For me, and for me ONLY, I regard the time from Midnight to 2 AM to be part of the previous day as far as fasting and abstenance goes.

 

[brigid12]

Absolutely correct.

However, there is no reason you cannot extend the time if you think you have good reasons to do so. In my case, I work the swing shift at the Post Office. My day starts around 10 AM, and ends when I go to bed at 2 AM. For me, and for me ONLY, I regard the time from Midnight to 2 AM to be part of the previous day as far as fasting and abstenance goes.

:yup:

 

[thistle]

I assumed it was midnight, but a friend said no. He said Vespers is the start of the next day, so he does the Friday fast from Thursday evening until Friday evening. He argues sundown being the beginning of the day and I argue the Sunday fast before communion having been from midnight before it was changed to 1 hour. He says, yes, but you can have Saturday Mass because it is after Vespers and is part of the next liturgical day. Now we’re looking for a source that says when it is to break the stale mate. Do you know where rules like that are written? Where can I look?..Patricia

What Friday fast are you talking about? Fasting is only required twice a year and that’s on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday,
Remember fasting is different from abstinance.

 

[Andruschak]

What Friday fast are you talking about? Fasting is only required twice a year and that’s on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday,
Remember fasting is different from abstinance.

Some Catholics choose to both abstain and fast on all Fridays. It used to be quite traditional. I do so because of my membership in a pair of 1221 groups. Others may have their own reasons to do so.

 

[jmm08]

I think I generally agree with Andruschak and say the fast ends when you eat after waking up the next day.

However, even with this there might be an exception or two to consider. For example, if New Years’ Eve was on a Friday and since New Years day is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God – I see no wrong in being very happy of that great day and wanting to eat and be merry after Midnight if you stayed up that night (and fasted on the Friday).

But in your case (if and when such a situation arises), Andruschak, you should ask your 1221 groups and rely on them for direction.

jmm08

 

[DJJG]

*I work the 11 PM to 7 AM shift, so I start my fast at 7 AM and end it at 7 AM the next day. If I’m not working that day I begin it when I get up and end it when I get up the next day. *
*I try to keep it consistant so I don’t forget about it or confuse myself :hypno: (which isn’t that hard to do :nope: ). *
**
*P.S.: I still abstain from meat on Fridays , because if I say that I’ll do something else :dts: - I’ll never get around to doing any Friday penance at all. *