Next Day and Date: WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (not including Sundays). While Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.

LENT FASTING AND ABSTINENCE

Fasting (the eating of one main meal and two smaller meals with
no in between snacks) applies to those between ages 21-59 who
are in good health and would not be hampered in their work
by fasting. The ONLY days that are legislated by church law are
ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY. The other days of Lent and/or all Fridays are ENCOURAGED but not obligated by law.

Abstinence (the exclusion of meat for the entire day) includes ANY ONE from age 7 and up to any age where the loss of meat for one day would not be harmful to one’s health. The days of full Abstinence are ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY. The other Fridays and possibly Wednesdays of Lent are ENCOURAGED but not OBLIGATED BY LAW! Lent is a time for us to VOLUNTARILY choose to do penance and mortification as an expression of gratitude for God for what Christ did for us through His Own Suffering and Death. It is an attempt to respond to the love that He so willingly gave to us.

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This page last updated on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 4:10 pm.

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