Anyone Up For Some Fasting?

[Fragments]

I was wondering if anyone on Phatmass wanted to start a little fasting group.

Maybe something like once a month on a Friday only eating one meal in the day and praying three rosaries on that day. I thought it might be a good way to remind ourselves to be devoted daily and to have a goal each month.

If anyone's interested/ has any ideas or day changes I'd be happy to know.

Fragments.

[Tridenteen]

JMJ
You probably need to chck with your priest before you fast like that. I think normally it'sd 2 litle meals and one regular. Just check though to be on the safe side....guys, correct me if I'm wrong, don't you usually need to check with the priest first before you fast outside of Lent and Advent?

[MIKolbe]

not that I am aware of...

but it doesn't necessarily sound like a bad idea to check.

[dominicansoul]

i think you need to check with a priest if you want to flog yourself, or do some other severe penance...

Actually, fasting should be a regular practice for Catholics...it usually is the 2 small meals and one satisfying one with no snacks in between. But to me, that isn't fasting! That's too many meals in one day for me!

When I fast, it's usually just breakfast and the one meal towards the end of the evening. No snacks in between but water to quench my thirst and hunger. At least, that way, I actually get hungry...with the Church's direction for fasting...I never even feel the sacrifice because I never get hungry with two small meals and the big one...

[Fragments]

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1283010309' post='2164501']
i think you need to check with a priest if you want to flog yourself, or do some other severe penance...

Actually, fasting should be a regular practice for Catholics...it usually is the 2 small meals and one satisfying one with no snacks in between. But to me, that isn't fasting! That's too many meals in one day for me!

When I fast, it's usually just breakfast and the one meal towards the end of the evening. No snacks in between but water to quench my thirst and hunger. At least, that way, I actually get hungry...with the Church's direction for fasting...I never even feel the sacrifice because I never get hungry with two small meals and the big one...
[/quote]

That's the sort of fasting I was thinking of. And I agree, two small meals and one main sounds like a normal day!

[MithLuin]

If one has a spiritual director, one should always run any penances by this person. Likewise, it's not bad to tell a confessor of these plans and to ask permission first.

That assumes that one [i]has[/i] a spiritual director or confessor who is giving you advice on living your spiritual life. This is because there is a certain expectation of obedience in that relationship. In the absence of that, I think that asking a priest is optional. One can always ask, of course, but it is not necessary.

One should always seek permission for extreme penances or anything that could injure one's health, but the proposed fast does not fall into this category.

So, before joining a Phatmass fasting group, it would be important to consider what would be a reasonable deprivation. It can't be something that is going to prevent you from getting through your day. So, teens should not fast too extremely, because their bodies are growing, and those who do physical labor will also need some sustenance. But if you are older, in good health, and do not have a very physically demanding job, there's not really anything to stop you from fasting on bread and water one day a month.

All Christians should fast. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are traditional activities that draw us closer to Christ.

So [b]Fragments[/b] has identified the key consideration in fasting - one must pray along with the fast, or else the only effect will be to become grumpy or irritable, not to be drawn closer to God. I think it is a wonderful idea to designate one day a month (perhaps the first Friday, so we can start next week?) as 'Phatmass fast day' and all pray for common intentions and encourage one another in our fast. Obviously, if someone is sick one month, they don't have to participate that day.

Also, the degree of fasting would be left up to the person. Certainly, we're at least saying one meal + two smaller meals and no snacks as the minimum to call it 'fasting', but if that is just normal for you, certainly you can do something more stringent.

So, anyone in favor of Phirst Phriday being Phast Day?

[Fragments]

I am. (Sorta obvious but I thought I'd still say.)

[Micah]

I really want to but my friend just told me Im getting too skinny. Ever since last Lent. Think I have to hold off fasting for a bit. : [

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I would think that anyone with health issues should talk to their doctor first before fasting. Fasting can be harmful for people with certain health conditions. However, I'd expect that a practicing Catholic with health issues would know this already and would have already discussed it with their doctor.

I know nothing about the theology of fasting, so someone please correct me, or clarify the church's position, but I would expect that people with health conditions could come up with a modified version of a "fast" (with their doctor's approval) such as giving up candy, or dessert, or alcohol, or caffeine, or nicotine, or really anything that might actually be good for your body, but would cause you to feel a sense of deprivation.

If under Catholic teachings, this would not be considered the equivalent to a "fast" for a person with health issues, I'd find more information about the rules very interesting (and certainly pertinent to my situation).

[MithLuin]

Yes, [b]Ignatius[/b], the concept of giving things up and calling that fasting can apply to a variety of situations. You can fast from caffeine or the internet (though that would make it tough to coordinate through Phatmass! ) The rules for fasting apply to days when it is required. For lay Catholics, that would be Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. For members of religious orders, it is more frequent. For instance, the Rule of St. Benedict says that they are to abstain from meat always, unless they are sick.

The goal is that you choose a discipline that will be a hardship for you, (you'll feel it!) but not one that will damage you and cause health problems. Voluntarily undergoing deprivation helps us to submit our will to God and helps to keep us from becoming too complacent or indulgent in some of our day-to-day choices. I'm fairly indifferent to giving up meat, but giving up chocolate is a real hardship - I certainly miss it! Knowing this about myself, I think that when I fast, I have to cut out desserts, or it won't feel like fasting. If (for health reasons) you can't eliminate a meal, it is possible to eat a very plain meal and still participate in the fast.

Fasting is generally a voluntary discipline, so there's not really one right way to do it. As long as you pray, and consciously are fasting [i]for[/i] something...well, that's the goal.

This Friday, Sept. 3rd, is the feast of St. Phoebe, a deaconess at the church in Corinth who was praised by St. Paul.

[little_miss_late]

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1283010309' post='2164501']

When I fast, it's usually just breakfast and the one meal towards the end of the evening. No snacks in between but water to quench my thirst and hunger.
[/quote]

This is what I do too, but I will have coffee if I find myself getting a headache (especially at work, I don't want to be cheating my boss by being unable to do a good job because I am fasting).

[quote name='MithLuin' timestamp='1283020863' post='2164590']
I think it is a wonderful idea to designate one day a month (perhaps the first Friday, so we can start next week?) as 'Phatmass fast day' and all pray for common intentions and encourage one another in our fast.
[/quote]

Me too... I'm in.

[Fragments]

Yay! At least three.

Micah, could you join with something else as MithLuin has suggested? I'm not sure if you smoke, drink, watch TV or something. I think a day without music would be difficult for me.

[morostheos]

I will join in as well!

Although I think I may indeed choose to fast from the internet - being unemployed right now the internet is becoming a HUGE timesuck and definitely keeps me from praying as much as I should.

[Fragments]

[quote name='morostheos' timestamp='1283117547' post='2165069']
I will join in as well!

Although I think I may indeed choose to fast from the internet - being unemployed right now the internet is becoming a HUGE timesuck and definitely keeps me from praying as much as I should.
[/quote]


Awesome, I've had to give up the internet a few times before, I just get so sucked into knowing what's going on everyday.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Fragments' timestamp='1283116842' post='2165061']
Yay! At least three.

Micah, could you join with something else as MithLuin has suggested? I'm not sure if you smoke, drink, watch TV or something. I think a day without music would be difficult for me.
[/quote]
I would say I would join, but I don't have any choice that day, I'm not allowed to eat for medical stuff, so I think that kind of kills the point (and I'll be unconscious most of the day, so I can't pray, either). LOL! But in the future, I would love to participate.