Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. All the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by everyone 18 years of age and older, who has not yet reached their 60th year. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals—enough to maintain strength—may be taken, according to each one’s needs. But together they should not equal another full meal.
Abstinence is observed on all Fridays of Lent by everyone 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed.
