How to Keep a Lenten Fast

February 6 is the first day of the Lenten Season. Lent is observed during the forty days prior to Easter and commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and subsequent crucifixion. Many people believe that "giving up" something for Lent is fasting, but it is not. Fasting is to be combined with prayer and sacrificial alms giving.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Who is Supposed to Fast?

1. Catholics who are 14 years old and older abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Catholics who are aged 18 and older but less than 59, fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
2. This fast is to consist of one small meal, with two additional small meals permitted as long as neither additional meal together equals a whole meal. No solid foods are to be eaten between meals.
3. Both the baptized and the catechumens are expected to observe the fast, along with prayer and alms giving. Catechumens are those who are receiving instruction in the Catholic faith.

The One Meal

4. If you are fasting at work or school, get a "fasting buddy" to help you stick to your fast. Encourage one another and pray together.
5. The main meal can consist of anything except meat. Fish has traditionally not been considered a meat for purposes of fasting. Though usually considered part of the meat group according to the USDA food pyramid, nuts, beans, eggs, cheese, and milk are permitted. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are also allowed, except between meals, when no solid food is permitted.
6. Some choose to fast by "giving up" an item. This in itself is not a complete fast for purposes of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
7. Portions should be standard portions for one meal, not an attempt to have three meals' worth of food at one sitting in order to call it one meal. One serving of fruit, vegetables, grains and dairy is permitted. More than that breaks the spirit of the fast.
8. For those who exert great effort or who have special medical needs such as diabetes, two additional meals are permitted, though together they should not equal one full meal. Possible choices for the smaller meals are a piece of fruit, a bowl of cereal with milk, two stalks of celery with cream cheese or peanut butter, four to six cracker with cheese, a serving of yogurt or cottage cheese, a peach or pear half on a leaf of lettuce, a serving of macaroni and cheese, one baked potato or sweet potato, a piece of fish or a hard boiled egg.

Tips & Warnings

• Children under age 14 are not expected to fast, nor are adults over age 59.
• Those with medical conditions should consult their doctor before fasting, and may take necessary medication without penalty.
• Although it is not considered serious to miss individual days of fasting, it is very serious to not fast at all.
• If you "forget" and break your fast, pray for forgiveness and start your fast again. Do not use a lapse as an excuse to indulge even more.
• Spend time in prayer to help keep your mind off your fast and on Christ's sacrifice.
• If you are fasting at work or school, get a "fasting buddy" to help you stick to your fast. Encourage one another.