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From Father Pasley

 

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

     Please read these regulations for Fast and Abstinence and then continue on to the section on the Traditional rules for Fast and Abstinence. I hope this information will make your Lenten odservance more fruitful.
                                                                                             Sincerely,
                                                                                             Father Pasley

Current Lenten Regulations

and more.

1983 Code of Canon Law:

1.     All members of the Christian faithful in their own way are bound to do penance in virtue of divine law; in order that all may be joined in a common observance of penance, penitential days are prescribed in which the Christian faithful in a special way pray, exercise works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their responsibilities more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence according to the norm of the following canons.

2.     ON ASH WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY, all Catholics from age 18 to 60 are obliged to observe a sacred fast, that is taking only one full meal during the day and not eating in between meals.

Also on ASH WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY, all Catholics 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain (refrain) from meat (It is permitted to eat eggs and milk products, as well as condiments even if made from animal fat).

3.     ON ALL THE FRIDAYS OF LENT – Catholics 14 years and older are obliged to abstain (refrain) from meat (It is permitted to eat eggs and milk products, as well as condiments even if made from animal fat).

4.     Pastors and parents are to see to it that minors, who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence, are educated in the authentic sense of penance.

5.     The laws of fast and abstinence do not bind on Sundays, and on March 19th,the Solemnity of St. Joseph, and on March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation.

6.     The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 29, 2004 to the Feast of The Holy Trinity, June 6, 2004.

7.      

     It is understood that persons are not bound to these laws if their health or physical condition does not permit it. They should, however, do some other form of penance as a substitute.These regulations are the bare minimum required, but we are all encouraged to do much more in regard to the three Lenten spiritual exercises of PRAYER, FASTING AND ALSMGIVING.   

     All Catholics, within the proper ages, are bound, under pain of sin, to observe at least the current discipline of fasting and abstinence from the 1983 Code of Canon Law, as printed on the opposite page. Of course, we are free to impose upon ourselves a stricter régime if we want. And so, here are the traditional (1918 Code of Canon Law) Lenten rules for fast and abstinence. You are not bound to observe the 1918 Lenten rules under pain of sin, unless you personally bind yourself before God in a conscious act of the will. According to the 1918 Code:

 

     -    Catholics 7 years of age and older are obliged to abstain at the appropriate times.

-         Catholics who are 21 to 60 years of age are bound to fasting. Of course , a person 

      is excused if there is a physical or health reason that prevents fasting or

      abstinence. 

 

Ash Wednesday and all Lenten Fridays: complete fast and abstinence.
Weekdays of Lent: fast only.
Ember Wednesdays: fast and partial abstinence.
Ember Fridays: fast and complete abstinence.
Ember Saturdays: fast and partial abstinence.


Partial Abstinence: permits meat, and soup or gravy made from meat, to be
eaten only once a day, at the principal meal.

Complete Abstinence: forbids the eating of meat, and soup or gravy from meat.

Fast: means that only one full meal is allowed.   Two other meatless meals,
sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs,
but altogether they should not equal another full meal.   Eating between meals
is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed.

Ember Days: are days of fasting for the special sanctification of the
four seasons, and for obtaining God's blessing on the clergy, for whose
ordination the Ember Saturday's are especially set apart. . . . Ember Days are on the
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following the First Sunday in Lent and
Pentecost, during the third full week of September, and after the Third Sunday of
Advent.

Exceptions: (Same as in the present law.)

     In accordance with Sacred Congregation for Rites, fast and abstinence is dropped if there is a First Class Feast i.e.

-         Sundays in Lent

-         Friday, March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph

-         Thursday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation