What are the regulations for penance, fasting and abstinence during Lent?

This information is also available for download in pdf format.

Penitential days – The penitential days for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2012) and concludes with the celebration of the Paschal Triduum (April 5-7, 2012). During this time the whole Church is invited to do penance in order to purify our hearts in preparation to celebrate the renewal of our baptismal promises on Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012).

The following regulations should be observed by Catholics during Lent:

Abstinence – Catholics 14 years of age and older must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. It is only on other Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, that a Catholic may substitute another form of penance instead of abstinence.

Fasting – Catholics between the age of 18 and 59 inclusive are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days one full meal is allowed if necessary. Food may be taken at two other times, two smaller meals, in order to maintain strength according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted. Liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed, however.

Sacrament of Penance – All the faithful who have reached the age of reason (second grade) are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year. Lent is a good time to fulfill this precept of the Church. Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion without previously having been to sacramental confession (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1457). Of course, frequent confession, even of venial sins, is highly recommended to grow in God’s grace (CCC, #1458).

Other Lenten Observances – Each weekday of Lent, with the exception of Solemnities, is also an obligatory day of penance and should be marked by prayer and increased devotion to spiritual practices. Some recommendations include the participation in daily Mass, increased personal prayer time or spiritual study, self-imposed fasting or abstinence, works of charity, financial generosity to programs which benefit others, especially the poor, and participation in traditional Lenten Devotions (Stations of the Cross, Rosary, Retreats, Parish Missions, etc.).

The goal of all our Lenten disciplines is the conversion of our hearts. As the Catechism states, however, “interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance” (CCC, #1430). These penances help us to “repent” as the Lord asks, by redirecting our whole life toward God and away from the sin and evil which wounds our nature (CCC, #1430-1439).  

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The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri, have developed a true low-gluten host. The total gluten content of this product is 0.01%; its contents of unleavened wheat and water and free of additives conform to the requirements of the Code of Canon Law, canon 924.2. The low-gluten content is still enough gluten to confect bread for the Eucharist. Many gluten-intolerant persons may be able to consume it, or some portion of it, but are strongly advised to check with their personal physicians in advance. This product is the only true, low-gluten altar bread known to the Secretariat for Divine Worship and approved for use at Mass in the United States.

The contact information for ordering such hosts from the Benedictine Sisters of
Perpetual Adoration is as follows:

Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Altar Breads Department
31970 State Highway P
Clyde, MO 64432
Phone: 1-800-223-2772
e-mail: altarbreads@benedictinesisters.org
Sr. Rita, OSB, Manager

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The directives for this are found the Ecumenical Directory published by the Vatican in 1993.

Further information is also available for download in pdf format.

When can non-Catholics receive the sacraments?

The directives for this are found in the Code of Canon Law (Canon 844) and in the 1993 Directory on Ecumenism.

Further information is also available for download in pdf format.

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www.usccb.org/liturgy/swineflu.shtml

Further information about H1N1 can be found in the Public Resources area of this website.