St. Eusebius, Bishop and Martyr

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 35 — On the First and Second Commandments of the Church

Q. 1341.What should one do who doubts whether or not he is obliged to fast?

A.In doubt concerning fast, a parish priest or confessor should be consulted.

Q. 1342.When do fast days chiefly occur in the year?

A.Fast days chiefly occur in the year during Lent and Advent, on the Ember days and on the vigils or eves of some great feasts. A vigil falling on a Sunday is not observed.

Q. 1343.What do you mean by Lent, Advent, Ember days and the vigils of great feasts?

A.Lent is the seven weeks of penance preceding Easter. Advent is the four weeks of preparation preceding Christmas. Ember days are three days set apart in each of the four seasons of the year as special days of prayer and thanksgiving. Vigils are the days immediately preceding great feasts and spent in spiritual preparation for them.

Q. 1344.What do you mean by days of abstinence?

A.By days of abstinence I mean days on which no meat at all may be taken (complete abstinence) or on which meat may be taken only once a day (partial abstinence). This is explained in the regulations for Lent. All the Fridays of the year are days of abstinence except when a Holyday of obligation falls on a Friday outside of Lent.