RULES FOR FASTING & ABSTINENCE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC NORMS OF FAST & ABSTINENCE
Faithful Catholics at the traditional parishes around the world observe the rules of fast & abstinence that were in force in 1962. For those new to tradition in Georgia that may be members of novus ordo parishes may not be aware of the traditional observances. Here are the traditional rules of fast & abstinence so you can follow them:

ABSTINENCE:
Applies at age 7;
Complete abstinence: all Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, Vigil of Christmas;
Partial Abstinence: (meat & soup or gravy made from meat permitted once a day at principle meal): all days of Lent, the Ember Days of Wednesdays, & Saturdays, and the Vigils of Pentecost & the Assumption;
Abstinence is dispensed on Holy Days of Obligation.

FASTING:
Applies to ages 21-59;
Days of Lent from Ash Wednesday inclusive, Ember Days, and Vigils of Christmas, Pentecost, and the Assumption;
One full meal permitted and two other meals may be taken which combined are less than a full meal.

EUCHARISTIC FAST
Those who can maintain the old practice of fasting from midnight are encouraged to do so, otherwise a complete fast from all food and drink (water and medicine excepted) for three hours before the reception of communion.

NB- nursing mothers and the sick are not bound by these rules.