Lenten Regulations

ATLANTA--Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, is a day of fast and a day of abstinence from meat, and the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.

Lenten regulations issued through the archbishop's office point out that all Catholics 14 years of age and older are bound by the law of abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence from meat.

All Catholics are bound by the law of fast who are 18 years of age, and are bound until the beginning of their 60th year, that is, until they have reached their 59th birthday.

In addition to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, April 2, is a day of fast and a day of abstinence from meat. In 1999 it happens that the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, falls on a Friday. Therefore the precept of abstinence from meat is not binding on this day.

The Fridays of the year outside Lent remain days of penance, according to church law, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance. This may be some physical mortification, temperance or acts of religion, charity or Christian witness.

A single violation of Lenten obligations is not a serious sin. General or substantial neglect of the obligation to do penance would be a serious matter.

Recommendations for voluntary self-denial or personal penance during Lent are daily participation in the Mass, prayers for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life; personal service to the aged or the sick; fasting at least once a week as a way of identifying with the poor and starving of the world; prayer for peace.