Abstinence from meat is observed by Catholics fourteen (14) years of age and older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are eighteen years (18) years of age but not yet fifty-nine (59) years of age on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday.

Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, as necessary, but eating between meals is not permitted. Those with serious health conditions are not bound by the precept of fasting. The Lenten precepts of fasting and abstinence are meant to invite us to eat more simply. Abstinence from meat implies subtracting the meat portion from our meal plate and eating less.

To simply substitute shrimp for beef or salmon steaks for chicken violates the spirit of this Lenten practice. Rather, from the monies saved from simpler meals, we are asked to give to the poor and the hungry. Those following vegetarian and vegan diets can also subtract something from their plates and share of their saved resources with the less fortunate, Lenten fasting invites us to discipline our appetites and to live more simply so that others might...simply live.

Together with prayer and works of charity, fasting and abstinence from certain foods are part of our Catholic Lenten practice. Abstinence from meat is observed by Catholics fourteen (14) years of age and older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are eighteen years (18) years of age but not yet fifty-nine (59) years of age on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, as necessary, but eating between meals is not permitted. Those with serious health conditions are not bound by the precept of fasting.

The Lenten precepts of fasting and abstinence are meant to invite us to eat more simply. Abstinence from meat implies subtracting the meat portion from our meal plate and eating less. To simply substitute shrimp for beef or salmon steaks for chicken violates the spirit of this Lenten practice. Rather, from the monies saved from simpler meals, we are asked to give to the poor and the hungry. Those following vegetarian and vegan diets can also subtract something from their plates and share of their saved resources with the less fortunate, Lenten fasting invites us to discipline our appetites and to live more simply so that others might...simply live.