Lenten Regulations

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed.

On days of fast two other meatless meals may be taken according to one's needs, but together they should not equal another meal.

The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.

The obligation to abstain from meat begins at 14 years of age.

The obligation to fast begins at 18 and ends at 59 years of age.

Although the faithful may excuse themselves for a just cause from these laws of fast and abstinence, there is an obligation to substitute another penance and no Catholic should lightly excuse himself/herself from this obligation in the Lenten Season.