Lenten regulations for Catholics living in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are as follows:

Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021), all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday (April 2, 2021) are days of ABSTINENCE (refraining from meat) for all Catholics from age 14 onwards.

Ash Wednesday  and Good Friday are also days of FAST as well as ABSTINENCE.  Fasting is obligatory for all Catholics from the ages of 18-59.

ABSTINENCE means refraining from meat. FAST means one full meal a day, with two smaller meals and nothing between meals (liquids are permitted).

No Catholic will lightly excuse himself or herself from this obligation. We should strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer and penance.