What determines what day Lent begins?
A. What are the Days of Fast and Abstinence According to canon law in the Western Rite of the Church, a day of fast is when people who are between the ages of 18-60 are required to keep a limited fast. In the US, a limited fast is to eat one full meal and two light snacks that day. Children do not have to fast, but parents should discuss the importance of fasting with them to educate on the importance of fasting. People with special dietary needs can have a dispensation from their pastor. A day of abstinence is a day that people who are the age 14 and older are required to abstain from consuming meat (beef and chicken.) In the Western Rite, we can eat eggs, milk products, condiments, animal fat, and fish, but not in the Eastern Rite. People with special dietary needs can have a dispensation from their pastor. The Catholic Church requires we fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics are required to abstain on Fridays.
