The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday. The other Fridays of
Lent are days of Abstinence.
On a Day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted. Those between
the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.
On a Day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached
the age of 14 are obliged by the law of
abstinence.
The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence
“substantially,” or as a whole, is a serious obligation.
The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of
penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional
abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as
penance.
The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from
the First Sunday of Lent, March 13, 2011 to the solemnity of
the Holy Trinity, June 19, 2011
.
(*Canon 920,§1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into
the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving
Communion at least once a year.)