7. On what days is the law of fasting, apart from the law of abstinence, to be observed?
The law of fasting, apart from the law of abstinence, is to be observed on all Week Days in Lent that have not been already mentioned. (See preceding question.)
8. Do the laws either of abstinence or fasting bind on Sundays or Holidays of obligation?
No; on Sundays and holidays of obligation neither fast nor abstinence need be observed; also the Lenten obligations of abstinence and fast end at noon on Holy Saturday, because the Lenten Season closes at the end of Mass on that day.
9. Who are bound by the laws of abstinence and of fasting?
The law of abstinencebinds all who have completed their seventh year; the law of fasting binds those who have completed their twenty-first year and have not yet entered upon their sixtieth year.
10. May any persons within these ages be excused from fasting or abstinence?
Yes; the sick, convalescent, those in feeble health, and those who would be unable properly to discharge their duties of life, if they were obliged to observe fast and abstinence, may be excused from either or both, according to circumstances.
11. What are they to do who believe they have a good reason to be excused from fulfilling the obligations of abstinence and fasting?
They ought to apply to their confessors or Pastors for counsel.
A bishop may, for special grave local reason, in his Diocese sometimes dispense from the general laws of abstinence and fasting on particular occasions; or order a fast or abstinence to be observed which is not imposed by the general laws.
