Lent Begins on March 2, 2022

As we get ready for the great season of Lent, let us happily embrace the three pillars of PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING.

Please note that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of FASTING AND ABSTINENCE FROM EATING MEAT.  On these days, Catholics aged 18 to 59 are required to eat only ONE non-meat meal and two small meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.

The rule of abstinence from eating meat on Friday is binding upon all Catholics aged 14 and up.  Meat is considered to be FLESH, and because Jesus gave up His flesh for us on Friday, we too give up eating flesh on Friday. This includes organs of mammals and fowl, including soups or gravies made from them.  However, salt and freshwater species of fish including shellfish, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste is permitted.

Code of Canon Law - Days of Penance

Canon 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Canon 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or some other food according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops is to be observed on every Friday of the year unless a Friday occurs on a day listed as a solemnity.  Abstinence and fasting, however, are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Canon 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year of age.  The law of fasting, however, binds all those who have attained their majority until the beginning of their sixtieth year.  Nevertheless, pastors of souls and parents are to take care that minors not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are also educated in a genuine sense of penance.

Canon 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.

Reference: Code of Canon Law

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