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Fasting
Question from maria-antonietta on 12/15/2011:

I would like to start fasting on Wednesdays & Fridays but I'm not sure how to do so.

Could you please guide me, including information on at what time should the fasting period start - end.

Thanks

Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 4/24/2012:

Since this is a choice to fast for personal spiritual reasons you can do as complete a fast as you like. There is no Church law on the extent to which one does a private fast. It is always a good idea, however, to discuss the matter with a spiritual director or confessor to ensure a sound judgment, and to not compromise the duties of your state in life. We are obliged to fulfil the latter before freely chosen activities, even ones with a holy purpose.

Possible fasts include:
1. Fasting as Catholics would on official fast & abstinence days (Ash Wednesday & Good Friday). This is a restricting of food intake to one main meal per day, and two smaller meals not exceeding in total food the one main meal, no snacking between meals. Drinks are permitted, even alcohol, though the latter is generally considered against the spirit of fasting. No meat. 2. Reducing the number of meals to two or one.
3. Bread and water only.
4. No food, water only.

In common parlance, and canonically, a day is from midnight to midnight, so fasting would be from midnight to midnight.

As previously noted, the more severe the fast (2, 3 & 4) the greater the obligation to discuss it with a director or confessor, and even a doctor, if you have health issues that would be worsened by reducing food intake or its frequency, such as diabetes. Doing so insures that fasting is undertaken humbly, that is, for the right reasons.

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