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Today, 10 February 2016, begins the observation of Lent in the Catholic Church, and indeed in much of Western Christianity. Catholic rules for the observation of Lent include the requirement for adults to fast (that is, to reduce one's eating) on certain days:

Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

To the law of abstinence those are bound who have completed their 14th year of age. To the law of fast those of the faithful are bound who have completed their 21st year and up until the beginning of their 60th year.

(Apostolic Constitution Paenitemini, Paul VI, 1966; norm IV)

The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year.

The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.

(Code of Canon Law, canons 1252–1253)

Amended: "... the age of fasting is from the completion of the twenty-first year to the beginning of the sixtieth" (Paenitemini, norm IV) is amended to read "‘... the age of fasting is from the completion of the eighteenth year to the beginning of the sixtieth' in accord with canon 97."

(Complementary norm to Canon 1253; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Thus, although the general rule of fasting binds everyone who has "attained their majority", the local episcopal conferences can modify this rule, and the U.S. bishops have determined that "their majority" means from age 18.

I have heard, however, that this requirement is dispensed (waived) for those for whom it would be a medical hardship. But I can't find a reference to such a dispensation either in canon law or in anything published by the USCCB.

Is such a medical dispensation formally allowed for by the Church?

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  • @KorvinStarmast Ideally, what I'd like to see is a specific statement from a Church authority to the effect that those for whom a fast from food would pose a hardship may substitute some other form of penitential observance. I don't see that in this section of the Code.
    – Matt Gutting
    Commented Feb 10, 2016 at 20:50
  • The last half of canon 1253 seems to cover this, indirectly: "...as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast." As that is not labeled a dispensation, I suspect that isn't the language you are looking for in the answer. Do I understand the question?
    – KorvinStarmast
    Commented Feb 10, 2016 at 20:53
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    Likewise, the Paenitemini has this passage: VII. While the faculties of individual bishops of dispensing, according to the decree Christus Dominus, number 8b, remain unchanged, pastors also for just cause and in accordance with the prescriptions of the Ordinary may grant to individual faithful as well as individual families dispensation or commutation of abstinence and fast into other pious practices. The superior of a religious house or clerical institute enjoys the same faculties for his subjects. Is that too broad for your question?
    – KorvinStarmast
    Commented Feb 10, 2016 at 21:02
  • That is how I read it. My original source is here and this is how they rendered it: In connection with problems arising from the Laws of Fast and Abstinence, a confessor or priest should be consulted. Dispensations may be granted for a serious reason concerning health or the ability to work.” I am not sure how they got that out of the text I cited in the Paenitemini.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Commented Feb 10, 2016 at 21:09
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    Speak to your priest or a confessor about a dispensation from fasting.
    – Geremia
    Commented Feb 11, 2016 at 20:05

1 Answer 1

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The USCCB website has several questions and answers about Lenten observances.

The last one of these is:

Q. Are there exemptions other than for age from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?

A. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting.

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