Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Canadian penitential rules for Lent

An American-produced graphic on Lenten sacrifice in the Feb. 15 WCR gave the rule for abstinence in the U.S. But in Canada, the penitential discipline does not strictly require abstinence from meat on Fridays in Lent.

In Canada, the rule set by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, is that all Fridays throughout the year "are days of abstinence from meat, but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity or piety on this day."

The CCCB's "note" on penitential discipline states, "While the heart of penance is hatred for sin as an offence against God, external forms of penance are required to deepen and encourage the internal virtue."

In Lent, the CCCB says, "penance is to be considered an important requirement of the Christian life.

"Fulfillment of this duty involves prayer, works of piety and charity, and self-denial by fulfilling one's obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the prescribed fast and abstinence.

"The paschal fast is observed on Good Friday and, where possible, continued through Holy Saturday.

"In the Roman rite, including Canada, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence from meat. It is in the best interests of the Church that these days be proclaimed and practised in the parish community as days of true penance.

"Pastors are to invite and encourage their people to do special penance on these two days."

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter