Lenten fasting: what it means and how to practice it

Lenten fasting is a practice of preparation for Easter that should be accompanied by prayer and almsgiving, as Pope Francis wrote in the 2019 Lenten Message.

What does Lent mean? It is the period of purification, abstinence, and fasting that every Christian must observe during the forty days leading up to Easter. It symbolically coincides with the 40 days that Jesus, after being baptised by John the Baptist, spent in the desert to prepare for his public ministry through prayer, purification, and fasting. It also coincides with the end of Carnival, from the Latin “carnem levare”, “to deprive oneself of meat”. Lent represents a very particular and important moment for every Christian. The soul prepares to welcome the Paschal mystery, and for this reason, it is necessary for it to be purified from thoughts and distractions. Prayer and meditation are increased, small Lenten sacrifices are offered, giving up something particularly dear, and charity work is undertaken. The body also needs to be prepared for this unique and solemn feast. Hence, Lenten fasting is proposed to us, with a few simple rules of abstinence and moderation that, on the one hand, allow us to purify the body, and on the other, help us exercise control over ourselves, learn to be less attached to our comforts, and become less selfish.

Fasting, however, is not a practice that belongs solely to the Lenten period. Christians fast on certain days of the year, particularly in conjunction with solemn holidays. It should be part of the faithful’s life, just like prayer, almsgiving, and works of charity. It has always been this way, even in the Old Testament, and was widespread among the Jewish people long before the birth of Jesus, as was the obligation of absolute rest. When Moses had to prepare to receive the Ten Commandments, he fasted for forty days in the desert to present himself to God in purity. The Jews also practiced the “great fast” on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Returning to Lenten fasting, for Christians, not only Catholics, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period.

The practice of fasting is not shared by Protestants, except for Anglicans, because mandatory fasting during certain periods is seen as an outward and useless practice. Each believer asserts the right and duty to fast when they deem it appropriate, and not in conjunction with specific occasions. In the Orthodox Church, fasting is regularly practiced twice a week, on Wednesday and Friday, and more strictly in conjunction with particular feasts. During Orthodox Lent, the fasting is particularly strict.

Who is required to fast during Lent?

According to the Code of Canon Law, all practicing Christians are required to observe fasting and abstinence from meat at least twice a year: on Ash Wednesday (which, for the Ambrosian rite, becomes the first Friday of Lent) and Good Friday. More generally, one should avoid eating meat on “fasting days”, that is, on Fridays and other prohibited days, as indicated in the apostolic constitution “Paenitemini” by Pope Paul VI in 1966. These precepts should generally be observed on Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent, to prepare for Easter in the best and most Christian way.

According to Canon 1252 of the Code of Canon Law, the age for starting the obligation of fasting is set at 18, while the end is at 60. Those who suffer from particular illnesses or have a just cause, usually related to health reasons, can be exempted and substitute fasting with works of charity. The obligation of abstinence from meat applies, however, from the age of 14.

During Lent, in addition to fasting, Italian bishops encourage the faithful to practice other forms of abstinence or at least moderation, as forms of penance and purification: abstaining from smoking, alcohol, excessive use of mobile phones, and so on. These are always privations that can be included in the small sacrifices for Lent.

Anyone wishing to receive Communion is required to abstain from any food or drink for at least one hour beforehand, as stated in Canon 919 of the Code of Canon Law.

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How to fast during Lent

First of all, we must distinguish between fasting and abstinence: fasting concerns the quantity of food, while abstinence refers to what can be eaten.

Lenten fasting allows only one full meal throughout the day. Small amounts of food are allowed in the morning and evening, along with necessary water and medicine for health. Lenten fasting allows the consumption of all types of vegetarian food, such as vegetables, cereals, and legumes, but also fish, eggs, and dairy products in moderate quantities.

Abstinence occurs on Fridays during Lent and involves excluding meat, although it can be replaced with fish, provided it is simple fish and cooked in an uncomplicated manner.

What is not allowed to be eaten on Fridays during Lent?

As we have seen, the Code of Canon Law, particularly Canon 1251, defines the rules of fasting and abstinence: “Abstinence from meat or other foods shall be observed, according to the provisions of the Bishops’ Conference, on all Fridays of the year, except when they coincide with a solemnity; fasting and abstinence, however, shall be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.”

The rule of abstinence from meat in the strict sense applies to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, especially Good Friday. It is also recommended on Holy Saturday.

On these days, meat of any kind, red or white, is prohibited, as well as non-meat dishes that are very elaborate or fancy, such as shellfish or seafood.