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Fasting on Good Friday

I plan to fast on Good Friday. As a convert I was wondering if the fast ends at the Holy Hour of 3 pm or goes on to midnight on this day. I always stopped the fast at 3 pm, but perhaps this is not what should be done.

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Permalink Reply by Christina on March 30, 2010 at 10:34pm

It should be until midnight.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on March 31, 2010 at 10:12am

In Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic tradition, Holy & Great Friday is observed as a strict fast & adults are expected to abstain from all food & drink (not including water & medicine) the entire day to the extent that their health permits. The fast may be broken after Friday evening Vespers & the Entombment of the Burial Shroud. Since this is your first (?) time fasting on Great & Holy Friday, I would seek the advice of your spiritual father (priest) to clarify. May you have a joyous Feast of the Resurrection!

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Permalink Reply by Marie V. on March 31, 2010 at 10:20am

Hi Jennifer! I am a convert too so I had to ask my cradle Catholic DH and he told me it is always until midnight. We usually fast until lunch when we have a slice of plain bread or something equal and then after the 3pm mass have our meal for the day. After that we have no food of any kind until breakfast the next day. God bless you!

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Permalink Reply by Roger Thomas on March 31, 2010 at 6:31pm

I think it's a personal option, so long as the Church guidelines for fasting are observed. When I was younger I'd fast until the next morning, but as I age and my system has less tolerance for fasting, I just fast until dinnertime. On Good Friday and Ash Wednesday dinner is sparse, plain, and eaten without ceremony. I'm still able to liquid fast through the day up to that point, but I suspect the day may come when I can't do that.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer R. on April 1, 2010 at 10:25am

Thanks for the responses, you all were a good help on this subject. I am not young anymore either, but I plan on a total fast (only water) until 6pm then tea and broth until midnight. God Bless...