Lenten Fasting and Abstinence Requirements

FASTING-Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting for Catholics.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. For Catholics, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.

ABSTINENCE-Ash Wednesday, All Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon Catholics from age 14 onwards. No meat is eaten on days of abstinence.

For more information on fasting during Lent, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website at http://j.mp/2UE6ubX.