LENTEN REGULATIONS: During the Season of Lent, the Church urges all the Faithful to reflect a spirit of penance in their daily life through performing acts of fast and abstinence. FASTING: requires that only one full meal be taken per day. Two other smaller meals may be taken during the day to maintain physical strength, but these two meals together should not equal one full meal on quantity. Fasting obliges all those who have reached the age of 18 and continues to oblige until the age of 59. Those not specifically obligated are encouraged to join in the discipline of fasting to the extent that they are able. ABSTINENCE: prohibits individuals from eating meat on a particular day. Abstinence obliges all those who have reached the age of 14 and continues to obligate throughout their entire life. Those not specifically obligated to abstain from eating meat are encouraged to join in the discipline to the extent that they are able. ASH WEDNESDAY & GOOD FRIDAY are days of fast and abstinence. FRIDAYS IN LENT are days of abstinence. WEEKDAYS OF LENT: There is no obligation to fast; however voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended. VOLUNTARY ACTS OF SELF DENIAL may include, in addition to fasting: Participation in daily Mass Spiritual studies Lenten devotions Stations of the Cross Saying the Rosary Deeds of mercy and kindness