The Precepts of the Church: fasting and abstinence

The Precepts of the Church, which I have been reflecting on in this series of articles, are laws established by the pastoral authorities of the Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, they are “meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort” to ensure our growth in love of God and neighbor (CCC 2041).

Our growth in moral goodness (and holiness) will be sustained and aided by our participation in the Church’s liturgy and sacraments that are channels of grace for disciples striving to live the Christian life.

The fourth Precept of the Church states: “You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church” (CCC 2042). The purpose of this precept is twofold. First, it is intended to help us prepare ourselves spiritually for certain special feasts such as Easter. Secondly, it helps us grow in self-discipline and master our physical appetites so that we might awaken and be more sensitive to our hunger for the things of the Spirit. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). Since freely indulging our physical appetites dulls our spiritual hunger, faithful observance of this precept helps us grow in interior freedom and increase our hunger for the things of God.

What does the Church mean by fasting and abstinence? Abstinence has many meanings. It can mean refraining from television or social media. For some, it may mean refraining from alcohol or sexual relations. In the context of this precept, however, abstinence means refraining from eating meat, understood to include the flesh of warm-blooded animals. Fish are not included under the law of abstinence.

Fasting too, suggests a variety of meanings and varying degrees of intensity. For example, there is the minimal Eucharistic fast that requires those who will receive Holy Communion to refrain from all food for one hour before reception of the Sacrament. In light of this precept of the Church, however, the law of fasting has a more precise meaning. It means that we may take only one full meal during the course of the day. This may be supplemented by two additional light meals, which, together, are not greater than a full meal. Though eating between meals is prohibited, liquids may be taken at any time.

Again, the Precepts of the Church establish minimum standards. Many choose to fast more frequently and with greater intensity, not only for its possible physical benefits but also for the spiritual fruits that fasting may produce in those whose intentions are motivated by a spirit of penance and who seek to grow in union with Christ.

What then are the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Catholic Church? Preeminent among the Church’s penitential days and seasons are each Friday of the year and the season of Lent. Penitential practices during these times help prepare the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery with greater faith and longing.

In keeping with the penitential character of Friday, the day Christ suffered and died for our sins, abstinence from meat is strongly recommended on every Friday of the year. Another form of penance may be substituted for abstinence from meat on Fridays outside of the Lenten season. This substitution, unfortunately, has been largely forgotten or overlooked by many Catholics with the result that Friday, like Sunday, has lost its special character and association with the events of our redemption. The important thing to recall is that every Friday is a day of penance.

How does this precept apply to the season of Lent? Abstinence from meat is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and on every Friday of Lent for those over age 14. The law of fasting applies to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are bound to fast on these days.

Though these are the only requirements established by this precept, we all do well to recall that the precept establishes only the minimum standard. We are encouraged to strive for much more. In the Latin Church, the laws for fasting and abstinence have been relaxed from what they were in previous generations. The Eastern Churches have different practices that often are more demanding.

This precept reminds us that a spirit of penance is an important element for living a robust life of Christian discipleship. It reminds us that we remain vulnerable to our own sinful inclinations. It assists in our own continuing conversion and in deepening our hunger for the things of the Spirit.