"Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Give it two wings:
fasting and almsgiving" (St. Augustine).

As we enter the season of Lent, it is helpful to recall the discipline of the Church Weekdays of Lent:

There is no obligation to fast, however, voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended in regard to fast, abstinence, and other forms of penance.

1. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States.

2. Days of Abstinence: (All Fridays in Lent) -- The Obligation of Abstinence (refraining from eating meat) begins at age 14.

3. The Law of Fasting (limiting oneself to one full meal and two lighter meals) obliges all between the ages of 19-59. No one should consider this obligation lightly.

4. Those individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting or abstaining may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast or abstain, but should perform some other act of penance or charity.

5. All members of the Christian Faithful are encouraged to do acts of penance and charity during the Lenten season beyond what is prescribed by law.

6. All members of the Christian Faithful are encouraged to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, since it is a true encounter with the loving, forgiving Savior, Who takes away the burden of our sin, forgives our failing and is the source of peace and joy.

7. Easter Duty Obligation: After they have received their First Holy Communion, Catholics are bound by the obligation of receiving Holy Communion at least once a year. This precept should be fulfilled during the Easter Season. Catholics are also bound to confess serious (mortal) sins at least once a year, but this is not limited to the Lenten/Easter season.