Ash Wednesday will be celebrated this week Wednesday, March 1st and is a day of both Fast and Abstinence. 1. ALL Catholics aged 18 to 59 years are obliged to fast. Only ONE full meal is permitted. The other two meals should be of lesser quantity than one normally eats, and no snacks or candy, (not even gum!) are permitted between meals. Liquids and beverages of any kind however, are permitted and may be taken at any time. Note: persons with health problems requiring special diets are exempt from fasting. 2. ALL Catholics Of All Ages of 7 years and upwards are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, and also on all Fridays during Lent.