"Washington D.C., Feb 19, 2021 / 03:02 pm MT ().- God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it – fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life.

But for many Catholics today, it's more of an afterthought...

The current fasting obligation for Latin Catholics in the United States is this: all over the age of 14 must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, adults age 18 to 59 must fast – eating no more than one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not add up in quantity to the full meal...

Aside from the stipulations, though, what's the point of fasting?...

'The whole purpose of fasting is to put the created order and our spiritual life in a proper balance,' Deacon Carnazzo said.

... fasting helps 'make more room for God in our life,' Monsignor Charles Pope, pastor of Holy Comforter/St. Cyprian Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. said..."

Click here to read more of the article by Matt Hadro from the Catholic News Agency.