The Catholic Laws of Fast & Abstinence

Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024 and Good Friday, March 29, 2024 are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fasting, that is, limiting oneself to a single full meal (One full meal, and two smaller meals which do not add up to the full meal. No foods between meals.)

Beginning Friday, February 16, 2024 through Good Friday, March 29, 2024 Catholic are to abstain from eating meat on all Fridays in Lent. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older.

The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday.