Matthew 6:16-18   "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

Fasting

~ Fasting means eating a lesser amount of food.

~ Only one full meal a day is allowed.

~ Two other small meals are allowed with the total amount of food not exceeding the meal.

~ No food may be eaten between meals.

~ Catholics between the ages of 14 & 59 must fast. Everyone should fast-if able.

Abstinence

~ Abstinence is the act of “doing without” or avoiding something, in this case, meat.

~ The Obligatory Abstinence Days on which we must abstain & fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday -and……..

~ Fridays during Lent are days on which we abstain from meat, -but………

~ Dairy products, fish and sea food are allowed.

~ Catholics are also encouraged to undertake some sort of personal penance or abstinence. Examples are giving up sweets or not listening to the radio in the car on the way to work.