Fasting
The Latest
These 17th-century monks did a beer fast for Lent
With the Lenten season underway, Catholics are immersing themselves in 40 days of abstaining from sweets, technology, alcohol, and other... Read more
Have you ever wondered what vegans give up for Lent?
Have you ever wondered what vegans give up for Lent? Read more
What’s the point of fasting, anyway?
God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it — fasting is a powerful and... Read more
Catholics converge on DC for a week of prayer and fasting
The week of prayer and fasting will culminate in the National Rosary Rally at the steps of the U.S. Capitol... Read more
Play ball! But go for the peanuts, skip the bratwurst at Good Friday opener
Sorry, Cleveland baseball fans (the Catholic ones, anyway), there is no dispensation from fasting and abstaining because of the Guardians’... Read more
Good news! You can eat a cheeseburger on Friday, March 25. Here’s why
You probably already are well aware that Catholics are called to abstain from eating meat on all Fridays throughout Lent.... Read more
Pope Francis’ Lenten message: Addiction to digital media can hurt human relationships
"May the corporal fasting to which Lent calls us fortify our spirit for the battle against sin,” Pope Francis said. Read more
San Francisco’s Archbishop Cordileone urges Friday fasting for an end to COVID
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is urging Catholics to fast every Friday for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Catholic hermit is ‘full of hope’ after 40-day fast for humanity
A lay missionary who was fasting for 40 days in a cave outside Palermo, Italy, says he is returning to... Read more
Louisiana governor announces day of prayer and fasting
The Catholic governor of Louisiana has asked fellow citizens to pray and fast on March 24 for those affected by... Read more
Pope Francis' Lent advice: Put down phone, pick up Bible
Pope Francis urged Catholics Wednesday to use the season of Lent to spend less time immersed in the chatter and... Read more
The Dormition Fast: The Eastern Christian season leading to the Assumption
Each year the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as other Eastern Christians, participate in a fasting season Aug. 14 in... Read more
Lenten fasting advice from the Pope who faced Attila the Hun
As Christians prepare to engage in the fasting and abstinence of Lent, they can find guidance in the words of... Read more
Fasting and Abstinence at Lent: A CNA Explainer
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
An environmental group is asking Pope Francis to abstain from all animal products during Lent, promising a $1 million donation... Read more
Pope calls entire Church to pray and fast after clerical sex abuse revelations
Pope Francis called Monday for every member of the Catholic Church to pray and fast in penance for the evil... Read more
This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says
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
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
Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program aims to continue its forty-year Lenten tradition of supporting hunger relief – and one... Read more
Pope: we will be judged by our behavior towards others
Pope Francis dedicated his daily homily to the virtue of charity, stressing that we shouldn't be “ashamed” to touch those... Read more
