Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are Fast days for Catholics from their 18th through 59th birthday. Ash Wednesday & the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat for all who are over 14 years of age. “Fasting” means eating only one “full”/regular meal during the day, making other meals smaller & no “snacks” (except beverages). People with fragile health, special medical conditions or other serious reasons are not required to fast.