Fasting, abstinence and giving thanks
There are so many reasons why people partake in the practice of fasting and of abstaining from various foods, and I’ve been fascinated with the topic since my youth. I recall that when I was very young there were tiny fish icons on our family calendar, indicating a surprising number of days during the year when we were required by religious practice to fast and abstain.
In fact, in addition to those special days, Roman Catholics were required to fast and abstain from meat (warm-blooded creatures) on every Friday (or make some other suitable sacrifice). These fasts were very strictly observed.
On the other hand, there were exceptions. During the Great Depression times became so dire that a Bishop in Louisiana gave a special dispensation for the consumption of armadillo on Fridays. (Eww...) Times must have been very dire indeed!
Fasting for Advent
Advent is called a "little Lent," because, like Lent, it is a time of repentance and of spiritual preparation. While Western Catholics are no longer bound to fast during Advent, doing so can help us prepare for the great feast of Christmas.
I recently pledged to begin my Advent fast and observations early--to coincide with that of my Orthodox and Eastern Rite brethren--in the spirit of “Christian Unity”. Sadly, not all Christians recognize the same dates for Advent, Lent or even Easter. To fast on Thanksgiving day as my Orthodox brethren do (a day of thanks-giving) seemed counterintuitive at first--but I was surprised to find it a joyful and fortifying experience.
While Pope John Paul II was still alive, he called on Western Catholics to learn more about the traditions of their Eastern Rite brethren. For me, joining them in the Advent fast (St. Philip's Fast) feels like a very good way to do so.
So, I am curious about what causes you to fast and/or abstain from certain foods:
In fact, in addition to those special days, Roman Catholics were required to fast and abstain from meat (warm-blooded creatures) on every Friday (or make some other suitable sacrifice). These fasts were very strictly observed.
On the other hand, there were exceptions. During the Great Depression times became so dire that a Bishop in Louisiana gave a special dispensation for the consumption of armadillo on Fridays. (Eww...) Times must have been very dire indeed!
Fasting for Advent
Advent is called a "little Lent," because, like Lent, it is a time of repentance and of spiritual preparation. While Western Catholics are no longer bound to fast during Advent, doing so can help us prepare for the great feast of Christmas.
I recently pledged to begin my Advent fast and observations early--to coincide with that of my Orthodox and Eastern Rite brethren--in the spirit of “Christian Unity”. Sadly, not all Christians recognize the same dates for Advent, Lent or even Easter. To fast on Thanksgiving day as my Orthodox brethren do (a day of thanks-giving) seemed counterintuitive at first--but I was surprised to find it a joyful and fortifying experience.
While Pope John Paul II was still alive, he called on Western Catholics to learn more about the traditions of their Eastern Rite brethren. For me, joining them in the Advent fast (St. Philip's Fast) feels like a very good way to do so.
So, I am curious about what causes you to fast and/or abstain from certain foods:
- How and why do you go about your practice?
- Is your practice based in your faith, or is it something else?
- If you abstain, does your abstinence also include eggs, seafood?
- What is the impetus, your inspiration?
- What do you feel are the benefits of such practices?
- Do you have cherished family traditions associated with days or seasons of fasting?
- How do you break your fast? Is it a celebratory occasion?
Comments
Jill Browne
A young hairdresser told me the other day that as a Muslim child and teenager, she fasted during Ramadan every year but found it very difficult when she was the only Muslim in her class. When she was 10 or so, the family moved to a different part of the city, where everyone in the class shared her faith. As part of the community, fasting together, it was much easier.
Thanks for an interesting post, Maria. Nice picture but why green onions?
Maria Blanco
To be perfectly honest Jill, I intended to use a much more generic symbol for this post but couldn’t seem to find one that satisfied me. Then I thought of “bread and water” which is emblematic of an austere fast—very humble—and in the process, I found this photo by Tuulum.
While I was not looking for onions, I found them appropriate. Onions have always been a staple nutritious and medicinal herb in diets the world over. According to the 1904 journal, American Medicine, Vol. 8, fasting on onions with bread and salt is a good, “preservative against infection.” Onions are fortifying and warming in times of want, and except for a particular fast which is practiced by those of the Hindu faith, I am unaware of onions being a forbidden food.
Thank you for your post, too, Jill. I can imagine that it must be very difficult to observe Ramadan in certain communities--especially for a child in school.
Carla Snuggs
When I first read the title, I read "Fasting and Absinthe" LOL -- see where my mind goes? Thanks for this lovely article!
Maria Blanco
*blink* *blink* LOL...That certainly would be an interesting twist, wouldn't it!?
Seriously, though, my eyes do that sort of thing all the time--usually resulting in similarly comical outcomes :)
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