Fasting

The Latest

Beer.

These 17th-century monks did a beer fast for Lent

Mar 18, 2023

By Matt Hadro

With the Lenten season underway, Catholics are immersing themselves in 40 days of abstaining from sweets, technology, alcohol, and other... Read more

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Have you ever wondered what vegans give up for Lent?

Mar 11, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Have you ever wondered what vegans give up for Lent? Read more

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What’s the point of fasting, anyway?

Feb 22, 2023

By Matt Hadro

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it — fasting is a powerful and... Read more

The International Week of Prayer and Fasting kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the National Basilica in Washington, DC.

Catholics converge on DC for a week of prayer and fasting

Sep 30, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The week of prayer and fasting will culminate in the National Rosary Rally at the steps of the U.S. Capitol... Read more

Photo illustration.

Play ball! But go for the peanuts, skip the bratwurst at Good Friday opener

Apr 13, 2022

By Joe Bukuras, Shannon Mullen

Sorry, Cleveland baseball fans (the Catholic ones, anyway), there is no dispensation from fasting and abstaining because of the Guardians’... Read more

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Good news! You can eat a cheeseburger on Friday, March 25. Here’s why

Mar 24, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

You probably already are well aware that Catholics are called to abstain from eating meat on all Fridays throughout Lent.... Read more

Pope Francis during his general audience in Paul VI Hall on January 26, 2022.

Pope Francis’ Lenten message: Addiction to digital media can hurt human relationships

Feb 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

"May the corporal fasting to which Lent calls us fortify our spirit for the battle against sin,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.

San Francisco’s Archbishop Cordileone urges Friday fasting for an end to COVID

Jul 31, 2020

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is urging Catholics to fast every Friday for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.  Read more

Biagio Conte, a lay missionary based in Palermo, is seen doing a pilgrimage in an almost deserted street March 20, 2020, in Palermo, Italy.

Catholic hermit is ‘full of hope’ after 40-day fast for humanity

Jul 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A lay missionary who was fasting for 40 days in a cave outside Palermo, Italy, says he is returning to... Read more

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.

Louisiana governor announces day of prayer and fasting

Mar 24, 2020

The Catholic governor of Louisiana has asked fellow citizens to pray and fast on March 24 for those affected by... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Feb. 26, 2020.

Pope Francis' Lent advice: Put down phone, pick up Bible

Feb 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis urged Catholics Wednesday to use the season of Lent to spend less time immersed in the chatter and... Read more

Theophanes the Greek's Dormition of the Mother of God (1392).

The Dormition Fast: The Eastern Christian season leading to the Assumption

Jul 31, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Each year the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as other Eastern Christians, participate in a fasting season Aug. 14 in... Read more

Chalk model with Pope Leo I stopping the invader Attila the Hun, from Oratory of St. Philip Neri main hall.

Lenten fasting advice from the Pope who faced Attila the Hun

Mar 6, 2019

As Christians prepare to engage in the fasting and abstinence of Lent, they can find guidance in the words of... Read more

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Fasting and Abstinence at Lent: A CNA Explainer

Mar 5, 2019

By JD Flynn

What does the Church require in Lent, and why? Here are some answers from CNA Read more

Open letter asks Pope Francis to adopt vegan diet during Lent

Feb 9, 2019

By Carl Bunderson

An environmental group is asking Pope Francis to abstain from all animal products during Lent, promising a $1 million donation... Read more

Pope Francis makes the Sign of the Cross April 18, 2018.

Pope calls entire Church to pray and fast after clerical sex abuse revelations

Aug 20, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis called Monday for every member of the Catholic Church to pray and fast in penance for the evil... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience Oct. 11, 2017.

This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says

Feb 6, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his message for the upcoming Lenten season, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using... Read more

French bishops declare day of fasting after priest's murder

Jul 26, 2016

In response to the murder of Father Jacques Hamel by believed Islamic State sympathizers, the French bishops have designated Friday,... Read more

How Catholics, Lent, and bowls of rice are changing the world

Feb 18, 2015

Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program aims to continue its forty-year Lenten tradition of supporting hunger relief – and one... Read more

Pope Francis visits the community of Varginha July 25, 2013

Pope: we will be judged by our behavior towards others

Mar 7, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis dedicated his daily homily to the virtue of charity, stressing that we shouldn't be “ashamed” to touch those... Read more