Fast & Abstinence Guidelines

Everyone over the age of 14 years is bound to observe the law of abstinence. Abstinence from meat is to be observed on all Fridays within the season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, everyone over the age of 18 and up to the beginning of their 60th year is also bound to observe the law of fast. On these two days, only one full meatless meal is allowed.  Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs; but together they should not equal another full meal. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, therefore, are the only days of both fast and abstinence.