Lentent commitments

[geocajun]

Defens0r, fish is OK to eat on Fridays. We (Catholics) are a bit less legalistic about what qualifies as meat, so your OK to eat milk and cheese too

I am considering giving up meat for the entire season of Lent.

 

[BAChristian]

Since this is my first Lent as a Catholic, and I'm trying to remember all the little practices and whatnot. (I surprised my boss the other day -- he's a cradle Catholic who doesn't like the Church anymore. I proved to him that you're supposed to follow general Canon law regarding Friday meat fasts. He couldn't believe it. He said, "Well my priest never taught us that growing up..." Why can't people study on their own?? )

So I think I'm going to do only what is required since this is my first time...unless it's only fasting on Fridays, which I do anyway...

What is required? I know meat on Fridays, but during Lent is there more required? If not, I'll add something else...

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

The following are the only legal requiments.
Every thing else is an age old practice/tradition to bring you closer to the suffering of our Lord.

CHAPTER II : DAYS OF PENANCE


Can. 1249 All Christ's faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.


Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.


Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.


Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.


Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Fasting = two small meals and one normal meal and no snacks.

 

[BAChristian]

The following are the only legal requiments.
Every thing else is an age old practice/tradition to bring you closer to the suffering of our Lord.

So I assume Good Friday and Ash Wednesday you don't eat anything at all?

 

[geocajun]

Fasting = two small meals and one normal meal and no snacks.

Aaron, didnt you mean that "fasting = 2 small meals which equate to one full meal, or just one full meal" ?

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Aaron, didnt you mean that "fasting = 2 small meals which equate to one full meal, or just one full meal" ?

Fasting The law of fasting requires a Catholic from the 18th Birthday [Canon 97] to the 59th Birthday [i.e. the beginning of the 60th year, a year which will be completed on the 60th birthday] to reduce the amount of food eaten from normal. The Church defines this as one meal a day, and two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Such fasting is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The fast is broken by eating between meals and by drinks which could be considered food (milk shakes, but not milk). Alcoholic beverages do not break the fast; however, they seem to be contrary to the spirit of doing penance.

http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/fast.htm

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

So I assume Good Friday and Ash Wednesday you don't eat anything at all?

nope see my post above