Solemnities and Fasting

[Fish and Bread]

So, on solemnities, are you forbidden from fasting, or just absolved of your obligation to fast (If there is one for that day)? Anyone know?

 

[Michie]

Shannon told me in another thread we should not fast on Solemnites. I can't find anything in writing though. Today is St. Joseph.

 

[Davidnic]

I believe forbidden. I will try to dig up official.

 

[Davidnic]

The current canon...that applies in general:

Canon 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless (nisi) they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Fridayof the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.​

Now, it does not strictly forbid. But when we know the logic of why it is exempted it is because they are days of celebration. Not days of fast. They are full and joyous feast days.

So fasting would be very much counter to the nature of solemnities.

In addition, the US Bishops have said:

Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended. Abstinence from flesh meat on all Fridays of the year [excluding solemnities like Christmas which may fall on Friday] is especially recommended to individuals and to the Catholic community as a whole."​

I think the intention is clearly to prevent fasting on solemnities, even as a function of personal devotion. So I would say forbidden, just not strictly so. But it is counter to the intent of the solemnity.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Here's the canon:
Canon 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
__________________

 

[Michie]

Thanks David.

What about Sundays during Lent?

Can you break from Sundays?

I was told you can but it seems kind of defeating...

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

As an aside--in the Western Orthodox Church-- it is forbidden, expressly to fast on Solemnities.

 

[Davidnic]

Thanks David.

What about Sundays during Lent?

Can you break from Sundays?

I was told you can but it seems kind of defeating...

Sundays are not part of lent. Sundays are always solemnities.

We don't actually figure them into the 40 days. Sundays are always days of joy.

So no fasting on Sundays.

Our monsignor was sure to point that out last week when the local kids were selling cookies for the youth group.

 

[Davidnic]

As an aside--in the Western Orthodox Church-- it is forbidden, expressly to fast on Solemnities.

Yeah, they have it in no uncertain terms.

 

[Michie]

Sundays are not part of lent. Sundays are always solemnities.

We don't actually figure them into the 40 days. Sundays are always days of joy.

So no fasting on Sundays.

Our monsignor was sure to point that out last week when the local kids were selling cookies for the youth group.

Ok. Well that makes me feel better. I got sick on Sunday & went to the Dr. Afterwards I had an ice cream. So no need to confess that.

St. Pats... I has a cinnamon stick... confess?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

The only thing you need to confess in regards to fasting--is if you fail to fast (with full freedom and knowledge) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday...and if you fail to abstain from meat on those days and on Fridays throughout LEnt (and throughout the rest of the year- if you aren't doing some other form of penance on Friday).

Your little personal devotions during Lent do not carry with them any pain of sin if you fail at them. It isn't sinful to eat ice cream, even if it's what you said you are giving up for Lent.

 

[Michie]

Thanks Shannon. I've been sweating it. Haven't messed up on Ash Wed. or Fridays.

I got sick & started eating more than I intended.

I'm still going for it though.

Thanks for looking this up guys. I've been kind of bummed but this made me feel better.

 

[Fish and Bread]

Thanks for all the answers. I still don't think it's perfectly clear in my head, but that was helpful. This is one of those things that I'd really like to see the Church express with more clarity -- either you can not fast on a Sunday or a solemnity, or you can.

Whether Sundays during Lent "count" for whatever one is giving up (if one is giving up on another) seems to be something even clergy frequently express differing opinions about.

 

[Fish and Bread]

St. Pats... I has a cinnamon stick... confess?

I'm with Shannon on that one -- it's not a sin to not live up to an optional private devotion you've chosen to take on. It's only when someone doesn't live up to a required thing like abstinence from red meat and poultry on Fridays during Lent that one would be supposed to confess it.

 

[Davidnic]

either you can not fast on a Sunday or a solemnity, or you can.

I'd go with can't. But it is not strictly forbidden under the pain of sin. But it is at odds with the meaning of the day. And in that sense...can't.

 

[Fish and Bread]

I'd go with can't. But it is not strictly forbidden under the pain of sin. But it is at odds with the meaning of the day. And in that sense...can't.

So, if I am understanding you correctly, you're saying that one shouldn't fast on a Sunday or on a solemnity, and it is not pleasing to God if one does, but it is not in and of itself sinful?

 

[Davidnic]

So, if I am understanding you correctly, you're saying that one shouldn't fast on a Sunday or on a solemnity, and it is not pleasing to God if one does, but it is not in and of itself sinful?

Yeah...I would go with that. I would not say it displeases God, because that would be a sin. But it does prevent a full understanding of the meaning of the day. So it is a bad practice to fast on those days...but not offensive to God.

Just out of synch with what He wants us to learn. If that makes sense.

 

[Fish and Bread]

Yeah...I would go with that. I would not say it displeases God, because that would be a sin. But it does prevent a full understanding of the meaning of the day. So it is a bad practice to fast on those days...but not offensive to God.

Just out of synch with what He wants us to learn. If that makes sense.

Makes sense to me. Thanks.