Questions and Answers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
          Q.  I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I'm not sure what is classified as meat.  Does meat include chicken and dairy products?
          A.  Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs --- all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
 
          Q.  I understand that Catholics ages 18 to 59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, but what exactly are the rules for these fasts?
          A.  Fasting on these days means we can have only one full, meatless meal. Some food can be taken at the other regular meal times if necessary, but combined they should be less than a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals.
 
          Q.  Are there exemptions other than for age from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?
          A.  Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting. 
 

About Days of Fasting and Abstinence - What’s the difference?

• Days of Abstinence: Refrain from eating meat
• Days of Fasting: One full meal and two smaller meals, which together equal less than one full meal

 

What Are the Three Pillars of Lent?

• Prayer: Prayer is the action that leads people to God. We take time away from the distractions of the world to turn to God, to contemplate, to listen and talk to Him, to read His words and meditate on them, to be one with Him. Prayer gives meaning to Lenten practices, which should draw us closer to Him.
• Fasting: Fasting is restricting consumption, depriving yourself of both good and bad things for the glory of God. This means watching what you eat on a day that is practiced, one regular meal and two smaller ones. During Lent, we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence is practiced on all Fridays of Lent.
• Almsgiving: Almsgiving is the action that leads us Christians to see others, love them, listen to them, and give them our time, help, advice, money, shelter, company, affection. It is not limited to giving material goods; it is the gift of self. It is based on charity, to love God and others as oneself. To give alms is to be united to Christ in his poverty.