Lent arrives this Wednesday, February 10th. We will have Mass at 6 p.m. with
distribution of Ashes. But Lent is also a time for fasting, prayer and
penance. Traditional Lenten fasting was rigorous. And even in the 20th
century it involved fasting every day (except for an occasional Holy
Day). Fasting is not just giving up something like candy. It is usually
understood as one normal sized meal a day, and two smaller meals which
combined are less than a full meal. Only at that meal was meat allowed.
And of course, no meat was allowed on Ash Wednesday nor on any Friday,
with the exception of Holy Days of obligation, just as during the rest
of the year. Abstinence was required from seven years old on. Fasting
applied to those aged 21-59, with exceptions made for the sick, certain
workers, pregnant and nursing women, etc. That discipline was in effect
until about 50 years ago. Now, fasting is only required on Ash Wednesday
and Good Friday (along with abstinence from meat of course on both
days). Abstinence is required for those from 14 on, and fasting goes
from 18 to 59. So, the LAW of the Church currently does not ask for as
much--but people are still free to take on the older discipline. And in
fact, most traditional Catholics practice at least part of the older
discipline because it is, well, a discipline, undertaken for Christ.
Have a blessed Lent
Fr. Nicholas Milich