Society of the Divine Word, USA Western Province

Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent. All persons are bound by the laws of the church to abstain from the day after their 14th birthday.

FASTING

The church's law of fast binds during Lent on Ash Wednesday and during the Easter Triduum on Good Friday. The law of fasting obliges from the day after one's 18th birthday until the day after one's 59th birthday

Fasting means that one full meatless meal per day may be eaten. Two other meatless meals may be taken sufficient to maintain strength, but together they should not equal a full meal. Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, may be taken between meals. If health or ability to work are affected, fasting does not oblige. Private, self-imposed observance of fasting on the weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended. Pastors and parents are to see to it that children who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance, conversion and reconciliation.

LENTEN OBSERVANCE

As is traditional, increased opportunity to participate in the eucharistic liturgy and in the sacrament of penance should be provided. Devotions such as Stations of the Cross, vigils and prayers services (with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, if opportune) are encouraged, charity is recommended. The traditional practices of increased prayer, reading of Scripture, spiritual reading, alms, personals self-denial in food and drink, increased care and service to the sick and needy, and are suggested.

EASTER DUTY: HOLY COMMUNION

All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligations of receiving Communion at least once a year. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter Season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time of the year. In the U.S. the Easter Season is considered as the period from First Sunday of Lent until Pentecost.

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

A member of the Catholic faithful is obliged to confess sacramentally all serious sins not previously acknowledged in the sacrament of reconciliation, of which one is conscious after diligent examination of conscience. Strongly encouraged, each of the faithful is to confess even lesser sins at least once a year, especially during the holy season of Lent.

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