Just in case your Sunday bulletin didn’t have these…
According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin Rite Church, Latin Rite (Roman) Catholics are bound to observe fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday.
Here are some details. I am sure you know them already, but it’s good to review.
FASTING: Catholics who are 18 years old up until their 59th birthday (when one begins their 60th year), are bound under pain of sin to fast: 1 full meal and perhaps some little food at a couple points during the day as long as they don’t add up to a full second meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
ABSTINENCE: Catholics who are 14 years old and older are abound to abstain from land-based animal flesh or preparations made from them such as gravy, sauces, soups, etc. (seafood, crustaceans, etc is permitted) on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday.
In general, when you have a medical condition of some kind, or you are pregnant, etc., these requirements can be relaxed, but it is a good thing to substitute some other form of penance under the guidance of your pastor or spiritual director. Failing to observe any one requirement once is not a cause of concern and can be dispensed with by a priest; failure to observe any is a serious matter.
