In the days before the Second Vatican Council, if my memory serves me right, Catholics took the season of Lent quite seriously. It was a season focused on self-discipline, expressed especially in the rigorous 40-day fast and abstinence period for adults, and for children, in giving up candy or some other desirable object. The season was also marked by devotions at church, especially the Stations of the Cross.

After the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI changed the rules on fast and abstinence calling on all Catholics still to do penance throughout the season of Lent, as well as on every Friday of the year, but to choose penances that were appropriate to their individual lives and circumstances.

Unfortunately, many Catholics still saw their religion as a matter of obedience to laws, so they only heard that the law set them free from fasting. Combined with the increasingly overscheduled lives we lead, this has resulted in many Catholics going through Lent with minimal involvement in this season of repentance and renewal. For many, it is just like the rest of the year with different songs at Mass perhaps, but not much else noticeably different. So, what should we do?

What is the Church’s official position concerning penance and abstinence from meat during Lent? In 1966, Pope Paul VI reorganized the Church’s practice of public penance in his “Apostolic Constitution on Penance.” Not long after that, the U. S. Bishops applied the canonical requirements to the practice of public penance in our country. To sum up those requirements, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years of age and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent.

Fasting, as explained by the U. S. Bishops, means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening, depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.

In his “Apostolic Constitution on Penance,” Pope Paul VI did more than simply reorganize Church law concerning fast and abstinence. He reminded us of the divine law that each of us, in our own way, do penance. We must all turn from sin and make reparation to God for our sins. We must forgive and show love for one another just as we ask for God’s love and forgiveness.

We are also reminded by our bishops that during Lent we not only fast as penance but also that we pray, do almsgiving and works of charity. Wouldn’t it be nice if we attended Mass daily or several times a week, making the way of the cross, help out at a soup kitchen, visit the sick and shut-ins and other personal acts of charity during Lent? All of these can be even more meaningful and demanding than simply abstaining from meat on Friday. Just a thought. 

Fr. Al Backmann