This Lenten Season, Here’s How To Fast on Good Friday w/c is Practiced by Many Catholics
HOW TO FAST ON GOOD FRIDAY – Here is a guide on fasting on Good Friday which is one of the most significant days of the Lenten season.
The season of Lent invites countless Christians across the globe to experience and reflect on the moments that brought Jesus Christ to death. The Holy Week brings us back to the time when the Son of God had an extremely painful journey to Calvary which eventually led to his death.
Countless people recall the extremely painful crucifixion of the Son of God. It showed the immense love of God the Father to mankind that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us in the cross to redeem the world.
In line with the Holy Week 2026, there are some traditions that continue to live on in the hearts of countless people. One of these is the practice of fasting during Holy Week.
A lot of Roman Catholics observe fasting during Lent most especially every Good Friday. It is regarded as a sacrifice to join Jesus into the desert through taming hunger and turning focus into the Lord. In the Catholic belief, the faithful believes that fasting is a way to be one with the Son of God.
Jesus Christ was in the desert for 40 years praying and fasting. Are you planning to fast this Holy Week?
Before checking on the guide about how to fast on a Good Friday, it is important to know who usually does fasting and who are advised to skip the tradition.
Who usually fast on a Good Friday?
Catholic people who are aged between of 18 and 59 are generally expected to fast and abstain from eating a lot during the Lenten season. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church recognizes that some individuals within the mentioned age group may be excused due to cretain health conditions or serious circumstances which make fasting unsafe.
Among those who are exempted from fasting are the expectant mothers, the women who are breastfeeding, and anyone who is suffering from an illness. While those who are exempted because of their status or condition now, not required to abstain from food, they are encouraged to take on other meaningful forms of penance suited to their situation.
Fasting during Lent is done by countless Catholics but it is not a civil obligation. It is more of a spiritual discipline and intends to help believers detach from worldly comforts and unite themselves more closely with the suffering of Christ.
How To Fast on a Good Friday?
Many Catholics fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. If you want to avoid eating full on these days as you observe the Lenten season, here is a guide on how to fast on a Good Friday:
- One Full Meal
Fasting allows a full meal as long as it is a single full meal during the day. The said meal can have a variety of foods but they must be in modest serving size and not much enough to the point that you will feel full.
- Two Smaller Meals
Aside from having one full meal, as you fast on a Good Friday, you can also have two (2) smaller meals. Make sure that if these two (2) small meals are combined together, they will not be equal to the size of the full meal.
- No Snacks Between Meals
Fasting during Lenten days generally does not allow having snacks in between meals.
- Beverages Are Fine
You can drink water, coffee, juices, and tea while you fast on a Good Friday. It can help prevent dehydration as well as aid you in sufficing your anger.
What To Eat and Not To Eat when Fasting?
Fasting during the Lenten season does not bring a lot of restrictions with regards to the type of food that should be eaten or should be avoided. But, remember to keep the Ash Wednesday and the Good Friday meat-free. You may have fish, fruits, and vegetables instead.
There are no restrictions when it comes to the food that you can eat when you fast during Lent except on the days of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday when meat is not allowed. You may turn to vegetables, fish, and fruits.