The Church in her wisdom has given us a way of sharing in this wonderful season through prayer, fasting, repentance, renewal, alms-giving as well as special days of remembrance. She gives us Holy week which starts on Palm Sunday in remembrance of our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem followed by Holy Thursday to reflect on our Lord’s Last Supper and institution of the Holy Eucharist as well as his agony in the garden and betrayal of Judas (Matthew 26). Then we participate in Good Friday in remembrance of our Lord’s crucifixion and death on the cross for our sins (Matthew 27). Followed by Holy Saturday, a day to remember and reflect upon our Lord’s death. Later on tat Saturday evening at the Easter vigil Mass after sundown we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death by his resurrection and welcome the newly instructed into full communion with Jesus’ Church and the body of Christ. The new faithful are baptized and confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) during this special and most Holy Mass on Saturday night. We continue to celebrate our Lord’s victory over death on Easter Sunday (Matthew 28). What a beautiful way to remember our Lord Jesus and enter into the mystery of his Passion, Death and Resurrection.
In preparation of these events the Church—by her authority of the keys given to Peter (the first Pope and Vicar of Christ) to permit or forbid and lead Jesus’ one Church (Matthew 16:18-19) -- obligates us to practice Abstinence and Fasting. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholic Christians age 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholic Christians who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Fasting according to the law of the Church is having one full meal a day, it does not necessarily have to be in the morning.