fasting in the Roman Catholic tradition

[lilyka]

I am really confused about the different ways people fast. I am sure there are different levels of piety and the individual approach is between you and your priest.

I know that most Catholics fast on Fridays during lent from red meat and chicken and pork but eat other animal products like fishe, eggs and dairy. as well as giving up a little something or another such as chocolate or coffee or TV.

My friend is more traditional (much more traditional ) and keeps strict fasting rules throughout the year.

but it seems like there are other sorts of variations as well. It appears some people do not eat at all on fridays?

So just curious...what are the traditions....and other details surrounding them.

[Tradd]

I found this - I like that it gives the traditional and Norvus Ordo (New Order?) - current - RC fasting disciplines.

http://www.fisheaters.com/fasting.html

This was interesting, too:

http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=134550

[sagewinna]

Not eating meat is abstaining. Fasting is eating 1 full meal and 2 smaller meals that do not equal another full meal, as far as Catholic teaching goes. Our Bishop is suggesting fasting from un-needed electronic use like texting, web surfing, etc and replacing it with face to face time with others.

I don't understand eating fish but not other meat, but I am a vegetarian so... lol I abstain by eating simple meals and no sweets.

We are encouraged to fast at other times during Lent, especially Wednesdays and Fridays. We are encouraged to fast, pray and help the poor during Lent. There are a lot of ways to do that, so I pray and reflect about it in the weeks before hand and let God lead me.

[chfriend]

The fast is set by the Bishop. I fast the way I did growing up. No meat on Fridays; no food between Sunrise and Sunset on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It's slightly more "strict" than the diocese because of that two meal rule replacing the all day fast. (I think that change happened in the 80's; I'm not sure.)

One can always add "extra" spiritual disciplines to one's 40 day Lenten sojourn. It sounds like that's what your friend is doing. Nothing wrong with that.

[annie2186]

I have been brought up in a very traditional Roman Catholic Church.
If you are 18 and up; you need to fast.
If you are 7 and up you need to abstain.
So on Ash Wednesday - no meat is allowed and only three meals.
Every other day is one meat meal a day and only three meals a day.
Every Friday is no meat and only three meals.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday it is a mortal sin to eat meat.
Only eating three meals a day means you eat one main meal with the other two smaller meals. The quantity and quality of the two smaller meals should not add up to the "main" meal.
If you are nursing or pregant - you do not need to fast.
On Sundays - it is a free for all! All the sweets, meats, and meals you want

[chfriend]

Annie....I think that's a good description, except I think the fast applies to anyone 14 and up. We fasted at my Catholic elementary school both pre and post Vatican II....so I also think it's very common for everyone to abstain and for 7 and ups to fast....but not required.