LENTEN RESTRICTIONS OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE

Abstinence

Abstinence means refraining from eating meat ( beast or fowl ),

meat products and soup or gravy made from them.

Fish is permitted on All Fridays.

 the laws of abstinence apply to all aged 14 and over. 

   Ash Wednesday and  Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence.  

All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

Fasting

Fasting is the taking of only one full meal (which may include meat)

and two smaller meatless meals that don't equal the large one meal.

No eating between meals is allowed,

but water, milk, tea, coffee, juices and medicines are permitted.

Meat is allowed at one meal

(assuming abstinence isn't also expected on a given day).

No one should consider this obligation lightly.

Those who are bound to observe the law of fast:

everyone over 18 years of age and under 59 years of age

Those individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting or abstaining

may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast or abstain,

but should perform some other act of penance or charity.

Parents are to see to it that minors,

though not bound by the law of fast and abstinence,  

are educated in the authentic sense of penance

and encouraged to do acts of penance suitable to their age.

    All the Faithful are encouraged to do acts of penance and charity

during the Lenten season  beyond what is prescribed by law.

   All the Faithful are encouraged to avail themselves

of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession),

since it is a true encounter with the loving and forgiving Savior,

Who takes away the burden of our sin, forgives our failings,

and is the source of peace and joy.