The practice of fasting predates Christianity. The Old Testament is full of examples of righteous men and women mortifying their flesh for the purpose of making atonement or simply to grow closer to God. Jesus himself fasted for forty days and forty nights in preparation for the beginning of his public ministry, and we see his disciples following his example in the Acts of the Apostles.

Fasting continues to be an important part of Christian devotional life today. Many people feel the practice of fasting enhances their prayer and helps them fulfill St. Paul’s advice to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) to grow in the Spirit. Most Catholics will associate fasting with the liturgical season of Lent, which begins and ends with obligatory fasting for all members of the Latin Catholic Church between ages 18 and 59.

©LPi