Abstinence from meat   
Fasting
  • Observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
  • Applies to all persons ages 18 to 59
  • One full meatless meal per day and two small meatless meals sufficient to maintain strength but do not equal a full meal
  • Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, are permitted
  • If health or ability to work is affected, fasting is not recommended
  • Private, self-imposed observance of fasting on Lenten weekdays is encouraged
  • Parents should ensure that children who are not bound by the laws of fasting and abstinence are taught an authentic sense of penance, conversion, and reconciliation
  • Fr. Patrick offers additional ways to fast:
    • Fast from worry
    • Fast from judging others and negativity
    • Fast from pessimism and complaining
    • Fast from anger about things and hostility towards people
    • Fast from anxiety and bitterness
    • Fast from self-righteousness and grudges
    • Fast from greed and deceit
    • Fast from envy and arrogance
Reconciliation (confession)  
  • Catholics are obliged and encouraged to confess sacramentally all serious sins not previously acknowledged in individual confession
 
Liturgy and Devotions
  • Catholics are encouraged to participate in the Eucharistic liturgy during Lent
  • Devotions such as Stations of the Cross and other traditional practices – including increased prayer, Scripture and spiritual reading, alms, personal discipline, increased care and service to the sick and needy – are also recommended
 
Holy Communion
  • All initiated Catholics are to receive Communion at least once a year and during the Lent and Easter seasons: first Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday unless it is fulfilled at some other time of the year