Catholic Fasting and Abstinence Rules Explained
MyPrayerTower Team
March 22, 2024
4 min read
Blessings...
Blessings...
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us detach from worldly comforts and hunger for God. Here are the current rules for Roman Catholics (Latin Rite).
Days of Fasting:
The Rule: On these days, you may eat one full meal, plus two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal. No snacking between meals. Who: Catholics aged 18 to 59. (Those with medical conditions are exempt).
Days of Abstinence:
The Rule: No meat (mammals and birds). Fish, reptiles, and shellfish are allowed. Who: Catholics aged 14 and older.
In the United States, every Friday of the year is a day of penance.
We fast and abstain to unite our small sacrifices with the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. It is an act of love, repentance, and self-discipline.