Forms and Days of Self-Denial (Abstinences, fasting and acts of self-denial)
Secular Carmelites will strive to live lives of simplicity and gentle austerity, witnessing to the joy of embracing the Gospel in its fullness. In addition to the days of fasting and of abstinence proper to the Church of the USA and responding to the encouragement of our bishops “to prepare for each Church festival by a day of particular self-denial, penitential prayer and fasting” (NCCB Pastoral Statement “Penitent-Discipline” to the US, Washington, DC, 1966) and to our Carmelite traditions, unless excused by reasons of illness or age, we will observe the following:
Members will fast on the Vigils of the following feast days:
May 1 - St. Joseph the Worker
July 16 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July 20 - The Prophet Elijah
October 1 - St. Thérèse
October 15 - Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus
November 14 - All Carmelite Saints
December 14 - Holy Father St. John of the Cross
For a sufficient reason, the above special fast days may be anticipated. Anticipated fast days should never involve fasting on Sundays or Holy Days (cf. CCL 1249-1253).
Members will fast on the Vigils of the following feast days:
May 1 - St. Joseph the Worker
July 16 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July 20 - The Prophet Elijah
October 1 - St. Thérèse
October 15 - Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus
November 14 - All Carmelite Saints
December 14 - Holy Father St. John of the Cross
For a sufficient reason, the above special fast days may be anticipated. Anticipated fast days should never involve fasting on Sundays or Holy Days (cf. CCL 1249-1253).
