Lenten Practices

The three traditional Lenten disciplines or practices are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For Catholics, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting (eating only one full meal and two smaller meals) and abstinence. The fasting requirements apply to individuals from age 18 until age 59.

Almsgiving can take the form of giving money towards charity, to a needy individual and/or being more generous in sharing our time and our talents with others. 

Prayer, in whatever form we choose, is the foundation of our lives as followers of Jesus, and helps us grow in our relationship with our brothers and sisters. Prayer sustains us in being faithful to our Lenten promises.
 

Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday means we can have only one full, meatless meal.  Some food can be taken at the other regular meal times if necessary, but combined they should be less than a full meal.  Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals. Abstaining from meat and other indulgences during Lent is a penitential practice.  On the Fridays of Lent, we remember the sacrifice of Christ on Good Friday and unite ourselves with that sacrifice through abstinence and prayer.​