Chapter — Konings, Theologia Moralis
CHAPTER I: ON THE ESSENCE AND OBLIGATION OF FASTING
- I. All the faithful, from the twenty-first year of age completed, are bound under grave sin to observe fasting on the appointed days, unless they are legitimately excused, or dispensed by Superiors. It is a most ancient obligation, which is said to have been handed down by the Apostles themselves. Moreover, concerning this obligation there is proof from various Constitutions of the Supreme Pontiffs, and from all the Catechisms of the ecclesiastical Provinces.
I said: 1° under grave sin; because the law regards grave matter, since it is something which greatly conduces to the salvation of souls. It is clear moreover from Proposition 23 condemned by Alexander VII, p. XIV.
I said: 2° from the twenty-first year completed; because the Church, as a pious mother, does not wish to impose upon boys and adolescents a law surpassing their strength. This is clear from universal custom and from all Catechisms.
II. Ecclesiastical fasting consists, as it were, in three parts, namely 1° in one meal through the twenty-four hours of the day, with an evening little collation added; - 2° in abstinence from flesh-meat, and in Lent from milk-products; - 3° in the time determined for taking the meal. - Yet observe that the custom of places and times contributes very much to determining, or modifying, or restricting the nature and obligation of ecclesiastical laws, especially of fasting.