I feel funny commenting on a post about fasting as someone who hasn’t participated in the two required* major Catholic fasts in three years, BUT this was such a lovely reflection! I hope that someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in, but I wanted to share the (little!) ways that the Catholic tradition is still incorporating forms of fasting in the daily and annual rhythm of the Church!
- Any day you attend Mass and intend to receive the Eucharist, there is a requirement to fast for at least an hour beforehand. Only water and medication. This (in my understanding) used to be three hours, and before that used to be all day.
- Weekly on Fridays (the day we remember the Passion in a particular way, such as the option for a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart or by praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary), abstaining from meat, or if that is not possible, making some other sacrifice.
- On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday every year, fasting all day. The minimum (maximum?) is one meal and two small snacks per day, but many people do more (less? lol) than this. This is *required for individuals in good health between ages 14-59 and never for pregnant or breastfeeding women. I can get the citation from the Code of Canon Law or the Catechism if you’re interested!
I know lots of people feel like this is super wimpy, and certainly compared to other denominations and to what was required in the past, it’s not much! As someone who has been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for three Lents in a row, I’m trying to hold that tension: I’m grateful for the acknowledgment that fasting is probably not prudent in my current season of life AND I miss the invitation and obligation to participate in those two major fasts. There’s something so powerful and beautiful about approaching fasting in a mature way, where you can make the decision not to complain about hunger, not to compare and size yourself up against others, but just to enter more deeply into the Lord’s call.
I truly appreciate your feedback here. Yesterday evening as I was giving this one last once over I thought to myself “the not required part of this is probably going to reveal my Protestantism”. There may be Protestant denominations that have requirements but Protestant Americans truly hate being told what to do I’m not the requirements mean much haha. As I am diving into more liturgical living, I am going to have a more traditional appearing fasting and make it a regular part of my life.
And here is another great place to say thank God for mothers and their caring, nurturing love for our children! I’m sure your time being unable to fast will make you more appreciative of being able to participate again when you can. God bless you and thank you for reading and sharing, Sara!
Not at all! The level of fasting you talk about here isn’t the level of fasting required, at least for Catholics! I think the Orthodox have some more stringent rules. It’s certainly a discipline that we in the West have let fall to the wayside!
I'd recommend "To Love Fasting: The Monastic Experience" by Adalbert de Vogüé. This book poses the question: are people capable of fasting in this day and age? Unsurprisingly, the answer is yes.
The longest fast I have attempted has been having dinner on Holy Thursday and not eat anything until after Easter Sunday Mass. It's rough. I wouldn't recommend it if you haven't built up your tolerance, so to speak.
I have to say I "cheat" in that I allow myself to drink coffee, tea, and sparkling water when I fast. I was in a good groove with Alternate Day Fasting but I was mostly doing it for weight loss. However, I could see how I would be more patient with the kids while fasting. So there's definitely a benefit for the soul as you mention. Lord give me temperance (but after the Christmas octave)!
Funny that I've not really considered personal fasting, even though I have read a lot about fasting over the years, both from a Spiritual and a health standpoint, including Foster's book.
This quote, however, got my attention about the benefits of fasting
"More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface." - Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline
I do like the idea of a digital fast (like you have been doing), and have had limited times with this. I think I will implement some of the things you have been doing,
Appreciate the thought and effort you put into your weekly essays.
So I looked into it a bit and it looks awesome and I’m sure it’s worth the money. Somehow the men who use it use their smartphones less even thought the program is on the app.... I’m interested for sure. If it will help me get off my phone more it will be worth it !
For sure! Kind of a bummer that it’s paid, I don’t know if that’s a new thing. But one thing, relevant to your post here, is that (esp in my experience) fasting works much better in community. I’ve only ever experienced it in a liturgical format. I know there’s Biblical precedence for doing it on your own, but over any sustained or repeated timeframe, it really helps to have some accountability and support from others. That’s one of the cool things about Exodus 90, and fasting when the church prescribes it :)
Thank you for reading, Kristin! I’m glad you are loving this series. I am too. I actually feel as if I’m being changed not only writing about these disciplines but mainly as I try to practice them.
I feel funny commenting on a post about fasting as someone who hasn’t participated in the two required* major Catholic fasts in three years, BUT this was such a lovely reflection! I hope that someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in, but I wanted to share the (little!) ways that the Catholic tradition is still incorporating forms of fasting in the daily and annual rhythm of the Church!
- Any day you attend Mass and intend to receive the Eucharist, there is a requirement to fast for at least an hour beforehand. Only water and medication. This (in my understanding) used to be three hours, and before that used to be all day.
- Weekly on Fridays (the day we remember the Passion in a particular way, such as the option for a Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart or by praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary), abstaining from meat, or if that is not possible, making some other sacrifice.
- On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday every year, fasting all day. The minimum (maximum?) is one meal and two small snacks per day, but many people do more (less? lol) than this. This is *required for individuals in good health between ages 14-59 and never for pregnant or breastfeeding women. I can get the citation from the Code of Canon Law or the Catechism if you’re interested!
I know lots of people feel like this is super wimpy, and certainly compared to other denominations and to what was required in the past, it’s not much! As someone who has been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for three Lents in a row, I’m trying to hold that tension: I’m grateful for the acknowledgment that fasting is probably not prudent in my current season of life AND I miss the invitation and obligation to participate in those two major fasts. There’s something so powerful and beautiful about approaching fasting in a mature way, where you can make the decision not to complain about hunger, not to compare and size yourself up against others, but just to enter more deeply into the Lord’s call.
Thanks for sharing, brother!
I truly appreciate your feedback here. Yesterday evening as I was giving this one last once over I thought to myself “the not required part of this is probably going to reveal my Protestantism”. There may be Protestant denominations that have requirements but Protestant Americans truly hate being told what to do I’m not the requirements mean much haha. As I am diving into more liturgical living, I am going to have a more traditional appearing fasting and make it a regular part of my life.
And here is another great place to say thank God for mothers and their caring, nurturing love for our children! I’m sure your time being unable to fast will make you more appreciative of being able to participate again when you can. God bless you and thank you for reading and sharing, Sara!
Not at all! The level of fasting you talk about here isn’t the level of fasting required, at least for Catholics! I think the Orthodox have some more stringent rules. It’s certainly a discipline that we in the West have let fall to the wayside!
I'd recommend "To Love Fasting: The Monastic Experience" by Adalbert de Vogüé. This book poses the question: are people capable of fasting in this day and age? Unsurprisingly, the answer is yes.
The longest fast I have attempted has been having dinner on Holy Thursday and not eat anything until after Easter Sunday Mass. It's rough. I wouldn't recommend it if you haven't built up your tolerance, so to speak.
I have to say I "cheat" in that I allow myself to drink coffee, tea, and sparkling water when I fast. I was in a good groove with Alternate Day Fasting but I was mostly doing it for weight loss. However, I could see how I would be more patient with the kids while fasting. So there's definitely a benefit for the soul as you mention. Lord give me temperance (but after the Christmas octave)!
Grateful to be reading about your spiritual journey, brother! Great reflection!
Funny that I've not really considered personal fasting, even though I have read a lot about fasting over the years, both from a Spiritual and a health standpoint, including Foster's book.
This quote, however, got my attention about the benefits of fasting
"More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface." - Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline
I do like the idea of a digital fast (like you have been doing), and have had limited times with this. I think I will implement some of the things you have been doing,
Appreciate the thought and effort you put into your weekly essays.
I’m curious if you’ve heard of Exodus 90? I feel like you would enjoy it.
I heard of it earlier today but have yet to look up what it is. But I will now!
So I looked into it a bit and it looks awesome and I’m sure it’s worth the money. Somehow the men who use it use their smartphones less even thought the program is on the app.... I’m interested for sure. If it will help me get off my phone more it will be worth it !
For sure! Kind of a bummer that it’s paid, I don’t know if that’s a new thing. But one thing, relevant to your post here, is that (esp in my experience) fasting works much better in community. I’ve only ever experienced it in a liturgical format. I know there’s Biblical precedence for doing it on your own, but over any sustained or repeated timeframe, it really helps to have some accountability and support from others. That’s one of the cool things about Exodus 90, and fasting when the church prescribes it :)
I love this series, and this post has been SO illuminating! Thank you for this! And that image of Christ in the wilderness...oh, my heart.
Thank you for reading, Kristin! I’m glad you are loving this series. I am too. I actually feel as if I’m being changed not only writing about these disciplines but mainly as I try to practice them.
And I loved all the pictures for this one. I had more I wanted to include but had to hold back haha