ERRATUM
Fasting Requirement
Fasting Requirement
Last week’s article entitled Penitence: Sharing in Christ’s Cross stated that, “The law of fasting allows people 21 years of age to 60 only one full meal a day but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening.” This was based on Pope Paul VI’s Apostolic Constitution Paenitemini written in 1966. However, the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 states that, “The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority (that is, those who have celebrated their 18th birthday), until the beginning of their sixtieth year” (Canon 1252, cf. Canon 97, 1). Since Canon Law supersedes Paenitemini, we clarify that for Latin Rite Catholics, fasting is required from 18 to 60 years of age. We apologize for this mistake.
