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Author Topic: Lenten Fast Age?  (Read 1594 times)

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Offline WaitForTheDawn

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Lenten Fast Age?
« on: March 06, 2025, 01:35:41 AM »
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    • Hello,

    I was wondering what the age is for the Lenten Fasting, and if anyone could point me to a reliable source on the matter. I've done some googling after a conversation with some friends yesterday (Ash Wednesday). Growing up at a traditional chapel, I've always been told that the age for the Lenten Fast is 21-59. However, in discussion with my friends I found that they (mostly Novus Ordo) believed it was from the age of 18, and google agrees with them. This was apparently a change made in 1966. My question is where the 21 age dates from? I understand the fasting age used to be younger than the current age (14, I believe), rather than older than the current age, so I was surprised to hear that the modern Church had dropped the age down to 18, albeit only for Ash Wednesday & Good Friday. 

    Thanks!
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    Offline Philip

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    Re: Lenten Fast Age?
    « Reply #1 on: March 06, 2025, 02:13:47 AM »
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    • The 1917 Code of Canon Law, Canon 1254, #2 gives the age range when fasting is obligatory from completion of the 21st year to the beginning of the 60th year.

    I believe the 1983 Code lowered the age from 21.
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    Offline Predestination2

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    Re: Lenten Fast Age?
    « Reply #2 on: March 06, 2025, 02:20:43 AM »
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    • Quote from: Philip on March 06, 2025, 02:13:47 AM
    The 1917 Code of Canon Law, Canon 1254, #2 gives the age range when fasting is obligatory from completion of the 21st year to the beginning of the 60th year.

    I believe the 1983 Code lowered the age from 21.
    The 1983 “code” doesn’t matter, it was promulgated by an antipope
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    Offline LakeEnjoyer

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    Re: Lenten Fast Age?
    « Reply #3 on: March 06, 2025, 02:38:13 AM »
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    • Quote from: WaitForTheDawn on March 06, 2025, 01:35:41 AM
    However, in discussion with my friends I found that they (mostly Novus Ordo) believed it was from the age of 18, and google agrees with them. This was apparently a change made in 1966. My question is where the 21 age dates from?

    The fasting age didn't change in immediately 1966, but in that year Paul VI allowed local bishops/conferences to modify the fasting age and in the US it was lowered to 18 that same year.

    As for the age of 21, I believe customs varied before the 1917 code of canon law.
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