Ash Wednesday 2013: Fasting And Abstinence

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lent season in the Western Christian calendar, occuring 46 days before Easter. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 13, 2013.

Aside from hearing the mass and getting an ash cross on their foreheads as a reminder of mortality and as a sign of repentance, among the other religious practices observed by Catholics during this holy day is to fast. Fasting is defined by the Roman Catholic church as consuming only one full meal, or two smaller meals. The Church specifies that those within the age of 18-59 should fast on Ash Wednesday, as well as on Good Friday.

On Ash Wednesday, faithfuls are also expected to refrain from eating meat. Meat is considered to be the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl, including soups or gravies made from them. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and shellfish are permitted, as are animal derived products such as margarine and gelatin which do not have any meat taste.

The Catholic law of abstinence states that Catholics (14 years old and above) must also refrain from meat on Fridays altogether during this 40-day period.