Why abstain during lent

Through Christ our Lord. If this cannot be done safely, the gathering of people at the fire may be limited to the ministers and the elect with their godparents. Since all would need to remove their masks and exhale forcefully to extinguish them, the use of small lit candles by the faithful is strongly discouraged both during the Lucernarium and the Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

Should small candles be offered to the faithful, it would be prudent to acknowledge the circumstances ahead of time. As few as three readings from the Old Testament may be read, both from the Law and the Prophets, and their respective Responsorial Psalms sung.

The reading from Exodus 14 with its canticle may NOT be omitted. Roman Missal, Easter Vigil Baptism should be done by pouring, not immersion, and the water used for baptizing should afterward be given to the ground via the sacrarium or otherwise. If a priest believes it necessary for health safety, an instrument e. Those instruments should be burned after Mass. If it can be done safely in covered containers, it is desirable that the bread and wine be brought forward by the newly baptized.

Founded in , The Catholic Telegraph is the official news source of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. November 12, November 11, November 10, Home » Home Page » Refresher on the rules of fast and abstinence during Lent Staff Report Ash Wednesday is February The rule of abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics aged 14 and onwards.

The shorter form of the Passion Gospel may be used. Unless Rome provides a different text for , the same text from should be used: Let us pray also for all those who suffer the consequences of the current pandemic, that God the Father may grant health to the sick, strength to those who care for them, comfort to families and salvation to all the victims who have died. Roman Missal, Easter Vigil 21 Candidates for reception into the full communion of the Church may be received at another time.

When we don't eat, for even a little while, we get hungry. When we get hungry, we have a heightened sense of awareness. If, when we eat too much, we have a sluggish feeling, when we fast, we have a feeling of alertness. Fasting is a wonderful exercise whenever we want to sincerely ask for an important grace from God. It is not that our fasting "earns" God's attention, but by fasting, we clarify our thinking and our feeling. It is purifying and prepares us to pray more deeply. When do I fast?

Catholics, as a group, are required to fast on only two days of the year - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, fasting means something very specific and limited. It means that one eats only one full meal in a day, with no food in-between meals.

It is understood that two other meals, if one eats three meals a day, should not total one full meal. One might fast in a more complete way, i.

Of course, anyone is free to fast at any time that it is helpful for their prayer and reflection. It is not recommended that anyone with impaired health should fast in any way. It is also important to note that everyone who fasts should drink enough fluids on a fast day. What does it mean to "abstain"?

To abstain is to not eat meat. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. A Reflection on Lenten Fasting. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.

Code of Canon Law cc.