Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.

When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal; two smaller meals may also be taken. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members from age 14 onwards.