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Q&A

When Do I Fast?

Fr. Charles Grondin

Question:

I am traveling to the U.S. from abroad, leaving on Good Friday and arriving on Good Friday (21-hour flight). When do I fast?

Answer:

For holy days of obligation, canon law calls for us to follow the liturgical calendar of our home diocese (can. 12 §3). Although Good Friday is not a holy day of obligation regarding Church attendance, it is a day of obligation for fasting and abstinence. In my opinion, the same principle would appear to apply, and you should fast according to the calendar of your home diocese. However, once in the United States you should do your best not to give scandal to other Catholics.

Your pastor can also dispense you from the fast and abstinence and substitute another form of penance (can. 1245; Paenitemini III, VII). So your pastor could commute your fasting and abstinence to the day that you are in the United States if that would be easier for you.

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