DIOCESE OF NORWICH

2007 Lenten Regulations

1. LAW OF FAST

a. Those who are 18 years of age, but not yet 59 years of age, are obliged to observe the law of fast.

b. On days of fast, those bound by the law are limited to a single full meal. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs; however, together these two meals should not equal another full meal.

c. There are two prescribed days of fast: Ash Wednesday (February 6, 2008) and Good Friday (March 21, 2008).

2. LAW OF ABSTINENCE

a. Those who are 14 years of age and older are obliged to observe the law of abstinence.

b. On days of abstinence, those bound by the law abstain from meat.

c. On all Fridays of Lent, abstinence is prescribed. This, of course, includes Good Friday. Abstinence is also prescribed on Ash Wednesday.

3. LENTEN DISCIPLINE

a. No Catholic will hold himself/herself lightly excused from the law of fast and abstinence. Commenting upon the mitigated Lenten regulations promulgated several years ago by the Holy Father, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States noted: "The obligations to do penance is a serious one; the obligation to observe, as a whole or 'substantially', the penitential days specified by the Church is also serious."

b. Lent is a most appropriate time for the voluntary practice of self-denial or personal penance. This may be physical mortification, temperance, or such works as Christian charity and witness.

c. The Code of Canon Law very aptly summarizes the ecclesiastical discipline in Canon 1249: "All members of the Christian faithful in their own way are bound to do penance in virtue of divine law: in order that all may be joined in a common observance of penance, penitential days are prescribed in which the Christian faithful in a special way pray, exercise works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence..."

4. REGARDING THE BLESSING AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES

a. The blessing and imposition of ashes ordinarily takes place during the celebration of the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday.
b. The minister of the blessing of the ashes ordinarily is a bishop, priest or deacon.
c. According to a response from the Congregation of Diving Worship in January of 1975, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy communion may assist the bishop or priest in the imposition of ashes.







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