Who

• Fasting: from your 18th birthday until your 59th birthday.
• Abstinence from meat: from age 14.
• Excused, no permission needed: the sick, those who are pregnant or nursing, and anyone whose health needs regular meals.
• Under 14 aren’t bound; children can choose a small sacrifice of their own.
• Unsure? Ask a priest: your pastor can excuse you, or change it for you to another good work.

When

• Ash Wednesday, February 10, and Good Friday, March 26: fasting and abstinence.
• The other Fridays of Lent: abstinence from meat.
• Except Friday, March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph: no abstinence that day.

What it means

Fasting: one full meal, and two smaller meals that together don’t equal it; no snacks in between (drinks are fine). Abstinence: no meat; fish, eggs and milk are fine. That is all the Church requires. The heart of Lent is prayer, fasting and giving to the poor, together.