Good Friday stands as the most solemn day of the entire liturgical year. On this day, the Church does not offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The altar is stripped. The faithful kneel before the Cross and venerate the instrument of our salvation. It is the day on which Our Blessed Lord suffered and died for the redemption of mankind.
Because of this, the Church has always attached to Good Friday the strictest fast of the entire year.
The Law of the Church Today
Even in our modern age of reduced discipline, Good Friday remains one of only two days when both fasting and abstinence are required under penalty of sin.
According to the current Code of Canon Law:
- All Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from meat
- All Catholics aged 18 to 59 must fast
Abstinence forbids the consumption of flesh meat—namely the flesh of mammals and birds—as well as soups or gravies made from them. Fish and shellfish are permitted. Eggs and dairy, which were once forbidden during Lent, are now allowed under current law.
Fasting, as defined today, permits:
- One full meal
- Two smaller meals (collations), which together do not equal a second full meal
- No eating between meals
Liquids such as water, coffee, and even milk are permitted. While these laws bind under pain of sin, they represent only a minimal standard, not the fullness of Catholic tradition.
The Traditional Discipline: Far More Severe
Historically, Good Friday was observed with profound austerity. For centuries, the faithful kept what was known as the Passion Fast. This meant no food throughout the day Even when food was taken, it was extremely limited:
- Bread
- Water
- Herbs
No meat, no eggs, no dairy, and often no oil. This was not considered excessive. It was considered fitting.
As explained in The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting and Abstinence, the Good Friday fast was always understood as the most intense expression of penance in the entire liturgical year. The Church’s later mitigations reflect a softening of discipline—not a change in the importance of the day.
The Passion Fast: Extending Beyond One Day
Traditionally, the Good Friday fast did not stand alone. It formed part of what was called the Passion Fast. In earlier centuries, Catholics:
- Fasted strictly on Good Friday
- Continued fasting into Holy Saturday
- Broke the fast only at noon on Holy Saturday or after the Easter Vigil
This prolonged fast united the faithful not only to Christ’s death but also to His time in the tomb. As noted in Lenten Comparisons Over the Centuries this practice deepened the penitential character of Holy Week and prepared the soul more fittingly for the joy of Easter.
More Than the Bare Minimum
The modern tendency is to ask: “What is the least I must do?”
But Good Friday demands a different question: “What is fitting for the death of Christ?”
While the Church binds us only to a minimal fast, Catholics who are able should strive to recover something of the older spirit by:
- Further reducing the quantity of food
- Simplifying meals to the bare essentials
- Avoiding all unnecessary comforts
- Extending the fast into Holy Saturday where possible
Of course, prudence must be exercised. Those with health concerns or serious obligations are not required to undertake extreme austerities. But for those who can do more, they should do more.
Teaching the Spirit of Penance
Even though the law binds only those above certain ages, the spirit of Good Friday should be instilled in all.
Children can:
- Abstain from meat
- Eat simpler meals
- Offer small sacrifices
In this way, they learn that Good Friday is not merely remembered—it is lived.
Conclusion
Good Friday is not an ordinary day. It is the day on which the Son of God died for our sins. The fasting and abstinence of this day are not arbitrary rules. They are acts of reparation, discipline, and love.
In a world that avoids sacrifice, Catholics are called to embrace it.
Let us not treat this day lightly. Let us fast with seriousness. Let us abstain with reverence. Let us unite ourselves to the Cross. Let us keep silence especially from 12 Noon through 3 PM.
For on this day, Christ gave everything for us.
