General Laws of Fast and Abstinence
CAN. 1249 All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially be observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.
CAN. 1250 The days and time of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
CAN. 1251 Abstinence from meat is to be observed on all Fridays of Lent. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
CAN. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their 14th year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority (18 years of age), until the beginning of their 60th year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.
