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Spiritual Reflection
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February 14, 2010 | | | |  | FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Abstinence and Fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence is to be observed on all Fridays through the year, but Catholics may substitute this practice with special acts of charity or piety on the other Fridays – it remains to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence refrains from consumption of meat. This law pertains to everyone over 14 years of age. Fasting prescribes that only one meal be taken in a day, but it does not forbid taking more nourishment in the morning and in the evening, according to the needs of each individual. Fasting binds those between 18 – 60 years of age.
Individual cases, for just reason (e.g., the sick), receive dispensation from the obligation. | | | | | |
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 Our Lady of Lourdes - In 1858, in a grotto, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl. She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto. When Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify. Lourdes has become the most famous modern shrine of Our Lady. |
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