I'm feeling guilty (imagine that, being Catholic!). I didn't really fast for Ash Wednesday, and I don't believe I will for the other fasting days of Lent. Of course I abstained from meat (and will continue to do so for all Fridays and fast days), but I'm not comfortable depriving my body in that potentially harmful way. I feel like God understands that skipping meals is unhealthy for my body and state of mind (I'm working my body out really hard on most days and it needs nutrients to survive and thrive, and I feel like I've been close to the edge of the ED fence since I began "dieting" and I don't want to toy with the possibilty of developing bad eating habits). I did have slightly smaller portions for my 6 meals a day, ad I still felt weakened by that. I'm facing a moral dilemma...am I a bad Catholic??!!
Lent is more about doing something that shows your love and commitment for God, not about actual fasting. Instead of not eating something, you should do something good for someone else. Volunteer at a hospital, or donate money to a homeless shelter, something like that is always a good idea.
No, you aren't a bad Catholic. I didn't think that the fasting on holy days applied to the elderly, the young, the sick or pregnant. If you feel you are bordering on ED, then definately you shouldn't fast.
I'm a Catholic with issues. No, I'm not giving up meat on Fridays. yes, I feel guilty about it.
As above poster said, it isn't only about a food denial.
I guess I'm a bad Catholic too because I thought I'd been fasting for the last week (amount of time on the diet).
I also thought that abstaining from meat on Friday's was a form of fasting. Eating fish isn't something I enjoy doing so I do consider it fasting! :)
Don't feel guilty, just do the best you can!
Actually, according to the post Vatican-II teaching, you really only "have" to fast during Lent on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Then other Fridays are when you abstain from meat. And in most areas of the country, when you're fasting you still eat meals, you just keep two meals a day to a minimum and then have a third that's a usual size. I agree that the most important part is to do the best you can, and don't risk your health - the idea is to keep Lent on your mind.
Good luck everyone!
If you are feeling guilty about not fasting for Ash Wednesday, why not talk to your parish priest about this ... and possibly even consider going to Confession? (You're supposed to go at least once during Lent anyway, aren't you?)
Just a thought ... I'm not saying there was anything wrong with your NOT fasting ... but if it's bothering you, you may want to do something to make yourself feel better.
Peace be with you.
=^..^= MOLLY
I don't skip meals because it is unhealthy. Also, like mollymouser says if you feel not right about it, talk to your priest. I am sure he will understand. I do, of course, abstain from eating meat on fridays. This also includes dairy, which many Catholics didn't know. The tuesday before (Shrove Day, also Fat Tuesday) Ash Wednesday everyone eats pancakes because they contain things like eggs, butter, and milk. Why? Because it is all dairy and soon to be off limits. If you just stick to the no meat Fridays I think you'll be good to go.
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