Lenten rules

Catholics are to keep the Lenten fast and abstinence according to these directives:

Lent
• Lent-related articles

• Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. On these days of complete abstinence, meat or soup or gravy made from meat are not to be eaten.

• Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, and Good Friday, March 29. Fasting means eating only one full meal per day. Smaller amounts of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be eaten between meals. The obligation to fast ceases with one's 59th birthday.

In the spirit of Lent, the faithful will not lightly excuse themselves from these obligations.