Every Friday of the year is a day of penance in remembrance of Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday (Canon 1250). Abstaining from meat is the traditional norm of the Church and was the norm of the American churches until the USCCB released a pastoral statement in 1966 altering the practice. Since then, Catholics in the United States may substitute abstaining from meat for another form of penance except for on Ash Wednesday and Friday's during Lent (Canon 1250-1251). Abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics from the age of 14 onwards. Abstinence is not required if a Solemnity falls on a Friday. Fasting is required for Catholics from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

Every Friday of the year is a day of penance in remembrance of Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday (Canon 1250). Abstaining from meat is the traditional norm of the Church and was the norm of the American churches until the USCCB released a pastoral statement in 1966 altering the practice. Since then, Catholics in the United States may substitute abstaining from meat for another form of penance except for on Ash Wednesday and Friday's during Lent (Canon 1250-1251). Abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics from the age of 14 onwards. Abstinence is not required if a Solemnity falls on a Friday. Fasting is required for Catholics from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

Every Friday of the year is a day of penance in remembrance of Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday (Canon 1250). Abstaining from meat is the traditional norm of the Church and was the norm of the American churches until the USCCB released a pastoral statement in 1966 altering the practice. Since then, Catholics in the United States may substitute abstaining from meat for another form of penance except for on Ash Wednesday and Friday's during Lent (Canon 1250-1251). Abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics from the age of 14 onwards. Abstinence is not required if a Solemnity falls on a Friday. Fasting is required for Catholics from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

Every Friday of the year is a day of penance in remembrance of Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday (Canon 1250). Abstaining from meat is the traditional norm of the Church and was the norm of the American churches until the USCCB released a pastoral statement in 1966 altering the practice. Since then, Catholics in the United States may substitute abstaining from meat for another form of penance except for on Ash Wednesday and Friday's during Lent (Canon 1250-1251). Abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics from the age of 14 onwards. Abstinence is not required if a Solemnity falls on a Friday. Fasting is required for Catholics from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.