please can someone explain as we enter lent do we have to fast as a catholic?

Answer 1

If you are a Catholic then you should observe Lent.

If you are not Catholic then you can still choose to observe Lent.

The Catholic Church follows the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal.

By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and in spiritual preparation for the celebration of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

This season of penance is an intense moments of the Church's penitential practice and are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and charitable and missionary works.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

This is from the American Catholic website:

To sum up those requirements, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Fasting as explained by the U.S. bishops means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.

Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.

Answer 3

In Bible times, people fasted for various reasons that met with divine approval. Some fasted to express extreme sorrow or repentance for sins (1 Samuel 7:4-6), to implore God’s favor or seek his guidance (Judges 20:26-28; Luke 2:36, 37), or to sharpen one’s concentration while meditating.—Matthew 4:1, 2. Fasting is not obligatory; nor is it wrong. It may be beneficial in some circumstances if the dangers mentioned above are avoided. Fasting, however, is not the focus of acceptable worship. Jehovah is “the happy God,” and he wants his servants to be happy. (1 Timothy 1:11) His own Word says: “There is nothing better for them than . . . that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”—Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13. What About Lent? The 40-day fast of Lent is said to commemorate the 40-day fast of Christ. Yet, Jesus never commanded his disciples to commemorate his fast, nor is there any evidence that they did so. The first reliable mention of the 40-day fast before Easter is thought to be in letters of Athanasius, dated 330 C.E. Since Jesus fasted following his baptism and not before his death, the fact that some religions observe Lent in the weeks preceding Easter may seem strange. However, a 40-day fast in the early part of the year was common among ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. The “Christian” custom was evidently borrowed from them.

Answer 4

Typically, a Catholic will fast by abstaining from eating meat on Fridays. It has become customary to eat fish instead, because of it's strong Christian symbolic value.

In the interest of Lenten abstinence you may also give up something daily. For example, one year my wife gave up eating anything chocolate - all week long, not just Fridays.

If you can't think of anything to abstain from, or don't want to, perhaps you can add something... Last year, I couldn't think of anything I was willing to part with so long so I decided to take up praying at least one decade of the Rosary per day instead.

What else is there... Oh yes! Sunday, being the day of rest, you can abstain from abstaining on Sunday's only. Whatever it is you decide to abstain from during Lent, Sunday's are like a "day off" from the Lenten fast.

Answer 5

If you are not a Catholic, why bother with Lent at all? I love the Catholic Faith. I get a little tired of everybody putting it down but, picking and choosing what it is about it that they want to copy like it is a big smorgasbord just for other denominations to desecrate. I think it's just so they can feel that they are legitimate too although they are not.

Answer 6

I dont know much about the catholic religion except that they deprive their people of the word of God, and that they worship the "Virgin Mary" instead of "Jesus Christ" who died for our sins. As far as the "Christian Religion" goes, we fast, when we are believing God for something as a group. Or we fast, when we want a closer walk with our Lord & Saviour!!! I dont know what lent even is. I'm sorry. But, I do feel sorry for any Catholic's that aren't "Charasmatic Catholic's!!" Atleast, they dont deprive their people of the word of God, and they for sure worship Jesus, not the "Virgin Mary!!" The bible even says that, oh but you guys dont know what the bible says do you? That is so "Tragic & SAD!!!" The word of God is "Power against all evil" and History, and our "Guide Book" to help us to understand how to live a "Right Life!!" But, Catholic's dont know anything about all of that!! Because the "Celebet Priest's" make sure of that!!! And they also aren't suppose to be alone!!! Man shall not live alone!!! For every man, there's a woman!!! Why are Priest, living alone, and molesting "Alter Boys" because they get so lonely, and desperate? Because they aren't reading the word of God, that's why!!! Sorry, but I wouldn't be a "Catholic" if you paid me!!! I'm a firm believer, that the "Christianity Way" is the only way!!! The rest is all "Hogwash" and phony!!!

Answer 7

Catholics are supposed to give up certain foods for lent. Some simply pledge to give up one food (such as meat, chocolate, sugar, etc.) for lent. I know my one friend could never eat meat during lent because she was Catholic. Attend mass, see what the priest has to say.

Answer 8

You are testing my memory now but I think there are only two fast and abstinence days left, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The fasting isn't really fasting as you are allowed 3 meals and the abstinence is from meat. I also think that whatever Lenten pennance (giving something up or taking something on) does not apply on Sundays.

Answer 9

Abstinence (no meat)=Good Friday and the Fridays during Lent.
Feb.21,23,March 2,9,16,23,30, April6.
Fast and abstinence (one full meal, 2 smaller meals (Together they should not equal another full meal). No eating between meals; liquids okay. If health reasons don't allow you to do this then you are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to your condition.
Feb.21, April 6.
I found this last year and am gonna start reading/keeping up with it this year, too.
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/default.asp
YSIC, Fishermanswife

Answer 10

No. Many people choose to give up something for Lent as a way to serve God. However, this is not a required way to serve God, as say prayer, is.