Benedictus Deus

There is an entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia about the Black Fast, the most rigorous in the history of Church legislation. The article says:

In the first place more than one meal was strictly prohibited. At this meal flesh meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and milk were interdicted. Besides these restrictions abstinence from wine, specially during Lent, was enjoined. Furthermore, during Holy Week the fare consisted of bread, salt, herbs, and water. Finally, this meal was not allowed until sunset.

Hardcore. This was standard in the early Church. Sts Ambrose, Chrysostom, and Basil all wrote about this fast. However their observance of Lent may have been shorter. Regardless, the practice remained until the 14th century, although the time of the meal got bumped up to noon. Shortly after that the practice having a collation, or a small meal, in the evening was introduced. Then, in the early 19th century the custom of having some bread crust and coffee in the morning was allowed. This later also turned into a “small meal.”

The reason I found this is because I was searching for info on the history of the fasting rules to see what the rules were when Pope Benedict XIV issued this statement in 1741 (which I have often quoted before):

“The observance of Lent is the very badge of Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of the cross of Christ. By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should mankind grow remiss in their observance of Lent, it would be a detriment to God’s glory, a disgrace to the Catholic religion, and a danger to Christian souls. Neither can it be doubted that such negligence would become the source of misery to the world, of public calamity, and of private woe.”

Based on the Catholic Encyclopedia article the rule would have been to allow the evening small meal, but not the morning, and I think the abstinence from eggs, dairy, and lard for all meals would have still been in effect.

We should have listened to Pope Benedict XIV.