The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting & Abstinence

by Matthew Plese

This book explains fasting and how it has changed over the centuries in one of the most complete compilations yet written. Unfortunately, most summaries of fasting are either inaccurate or incomplete. However, rather than being a mere academic exercise, the purpose of studying the history of fasting is ultimately to help us rediscover these more ancient practices in an attempt to better observe Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother’s call for penance and reparation for sins.

As Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen once remarked, “It is a long-established principle of the Church never to completely drop from her public worship any ceremony, object or prayer which once occupied a place in that worship.” The same may be said for matters concerning either Holy Days of Obligation or fast days. What our forefathers held sacred should remain sacred to us in an effort to preserve our catholicity not only with ourselves but with our ancestors who see God now in Heaven.

The 2nd edition features the following topics which were not covered (or covered only briefly) in the first edition, including detailed explanations of how fasting changed in other countries besides America, including Spain and the Philippines, a detailed explanation of who was exempt from fasting and/or abstinence and how those changes were documented and taught in various catechisms over the centuries. Mr. Plese also cover Easter Week food traditions, highlighting their connection with the Lenten fast, Armenian fasting and abstinence rigors, Maronite fasting guidelines, the heroic example of St. John of the Cross and the Primitive Rule of Pope Innocent IV vs. the mitigated rule approved by Pope Eugenius IV, how the time of the meal on fasting days differed (e.g., sunset for Ember Days but 3 PM for the weekly devotional fasts), and so much more.

86 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Comprehensive History on Fasting

Growing up in a Catholic society, I remember being taught rules on fasting in school and in Church —who can do it, when, how, but never the why. It was also confusing as there were always conflicting views and advice. I recall that my Religion teacher and Catechist explained it differently.

So, with my utmost gratitude, I thank the author of this book, for filling this gap in my Catholic rearing. Moreso, it gave me a history lesson on fasting and I appreciate that.

I am taking away one star however as the ending was quite abrupt. I felt that the book could have offered more. Albeit having no authority to require people to fast, this book could have provided recommendations to readers who would like to incorporate fasting in their lives. To me, that would've been a better conclusion.

Update: I'm returning the star that I took. I reviewed the book too soon and I did not see the rest of it as Kindle marked the book “read” when I reached page 187 (the book is 207 pages). Consider this update a notice that there is a guide on how to fast at the end of the book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information. A fun and educational read if you are interested in the topic. There are some assumptions made, for example, that when the rules were more strenuous they were "joyfully" made by all Catholics and therefore we should stop being wussies. I would like to know if back when rules were more robust, did Catholics also pick other things to give up for Lent or did that grow out of the lessenion of the fasting rules? Worth the read but not as good as it could be. For those of us who attend a Latin Mass, they are frequently later in the day at inconvenient times and lots of people have to travel great lengths of time there and back. This greatly adds to the fast required and is sometimes not prudent. No empathy is given to those in that group and there is skepticism about the need for relaxed rules for medical reasons such as diabetes.

[Winnie Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on fasting and abstinence

What a great little book! Gives a succinct but thorough history of fasting and abstinence in the Church, as well as a brief history of the Eucharistic fast. End with a description of the St. Nicholas association, which practices more extensive fasting and abstinence for the benefit of the whole Church. If you are interested in learning how fasting and abstinence has changed throughout the years, from Jesus’s time until now, this is the book for you! Well, written, thorough, succinct, and informative, this book is what you need to read if you are interested in learning more about fasting, abstinence, and how we can go above and beyond what the Church decrees. Highly recommend for all.

[C F Westervelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Quick Read

My catechesis was cut short after leaving the church when I was 18. Now I'm desperate for anything I can learn about the Catholic faith especially related to traditions. This book was the perfect bite size to get a better understanding of how to take Catholic abstinence and fasting more seriously.

[شاهنشاه‎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short history of the rise and fall of fasting/abstinence in the Church. The content itself is quite good, the book, however, is in dire need of an editor. There was a clear typo in the very first paragraph and many typos as well as elementary school style errors were to be found throughout the book.

Good idea, good effort, relatively poor execution.

[Gabriel Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal historical and inspiring work on the history of Catholic Fasting. The insight into what we have lost over the centuries was a true inspiration to personally return to the fasts of our ancestors. Highly recommend this book to those who are developing a love of fasting or who simply enjoy the history of our blessed church.

[. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dry read but worth the time to consider the why's behind fasting and abstinence according to Church teaching.

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pretty much had every detail that you could imagine about Catholic fasting and abstinence days.

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read second edition in July of 2024, over twice as long as the first edition.