Penance,
Fasting & Abstinance
Days of Penance
The Fridays of the year outside of Lent remain days of penance, but each individual
may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice
of voluntary self-denial or personal penance: this may be physical mortification
or temperance or acts of religion, charity or Christian witness.
Fast and Abstinence
All Catholics from their 18th birthday until and including their 59th birthday
are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. One full meal is allowed
on the days of fast. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength,
are allowed. Together the two meals should not exceed the full meal. Drinking
of ordinary liquids does not break the fast.
Catholics over the age of 14 are obliged to
abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday
and the Fridays of Lent.
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