For many Catholics, Lent is associated with fasting. On Ash Wednesday, a favorite topic of Catholics is “What are you giving up for Lent?”  As children, we tried to give up a favorite treat. Candy was the toughest challenge for me. (Mom wouldn’t let me give up vegetables.) We try to discipline ourselves to deny something we will miss not having during this time.

Sweets are always so tempting, and so non-essential. Refraining from sweets can serve the dual purpose of denial of something pleasurable and a method of losing a few pounds. Denying ourselves these tempting pleasures provides a challenging, and fulfilling way of observing this holy season.

Why do we fast?  Is it because we are told to fast? Maybe. But if that is the reason, we are missing so much. As someone once told me, “Fasting without prayer is just going hungry.”

Fasting for many is a change in our routine. Isn’t Lent a good time for this change? As Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert for forty days, we fast and pray to observe Lent.

Haitian fisherman off the coast of Jacmel, one of the locations of CARITAS' Catholic child sponsorship programs.

Our fasting takes many forms. We abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays. Catholics have a strong identification with this tradition. Some believe that a fish fry is the unofficial dinner of Lenten Fridays.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday provide for an additional fast. Besides abstaining from meat, only one main meal is allowed on those days. If abstaining from meat is not a sacrifice, this is a definite change to your routine. Being hungry without immediately snacking may be uncomfortable, but it teaches discipline.

Fasting is an important and challenging sacrifice during Lenten season. It is a personal, yet ecclesiastical observance which brings us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.