Jesus
said to his disciples:
“When
you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
-Matthew
6:16-18
Archdiocese
of St. Louis Lenten Regulations
Then to
all, Christ said,
“Whoever
wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day,
and follow in my steps.” (Lk 9:23)
The Church
has always helped us fulfill these words of Jesus by prescribing very definite
penance for all Catholics. Accordingly, the Pope and the American Bishops have
outlined obligatory fast and abstinence as follows:
Ash
Wednesday (March 6, 2019) and Good Friday (April 19, 2019) are days of
abstinence for all Catholics over the age of 14. On these two days, fast, as
well as abstinence, is also obligatory for those from the ages of 18-59.
Abstinence means abstinence from meat. Fast means one full meal a day, with two
smaller meals and nothing between meals (liquids are permitted). No Catholic
will lightly excuse himself or herself from this obligation.
All Fridays
in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. Here again Catholics will not hold
themselves
lightly excused, but if there is a serious health problem, this obligation
would not apply.
We should
strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer and penance.
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A Reflection on Lenten Fasting by Rev. Daniel Merz
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