- St. John Chrysostom, who was named a bishop on this day in 398
Prior to 1966, Catholics practiced what some folks today might consider heavy-duty fasting.
Catholics who were 21 years of age and who had not begun their 60th year were obliged under pain of mortal sin to fast every day in Lent except on Sundays.
On fast days, only one full meal was allowed (either at noon or in the evening), with about two ounces of bread with coffee, tea or chocolate in the morning, and about eight ounces of nay food except meat (or the fourth part of an ordinary meal) for lunch or supper.
On fast days when meat was allowed, those obliged to fast could eat meat only at the principal meal.
On Holy Saturday, the fast ended at noon.
People excused from fasting included the sick, the infirm, the convalescent, those engaged in hard labor, the poor who could not get sufficient food for the principal meal, and women bearing or nursing children.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw