Fasting in Lent

[derrynoose]

During the Lenten period this year, in the Roman Catholic Church, we are "encouraged" to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I seem to remember more strict rules applying to the days of Lent. Was there a time in living memory when the Church required more extensive fasting on weekdays during the entire period of Lent?

[squarebear]

I think this idea of fasting during Lent goes back to more superstitious times.

[Ric.ror]

Lent is 40 days and 40 nights so you will notice it does not include Sundays as they are always a celebration of the resurrection.
Abstaining from all meat on any friday is no longer essential in fact Pope John Paul 2 said we should be thinking of other things such as saying an extra prayer helping a person or maybe not smoking on a Friday
I like the Jewish idea of sabbath being from sunset to sunset. That way from sunset on a Saturday to sunset on Sunday in lent I can have a quick glass if red.

[Ric.ror]

That should be OF red
Stupid iphone

[Ric.ror]

One more thing
We are supposed to absstain from all food and drink one hour before mass regardless of what time of day we go. I look upon it as a time to reflect on what I gave done and what I am about to do