The History of Fasting and How to Practice It with Fr. Eric Andersen
In this talk at the 2026 Lent Holy League Catholic Men's Conference, Fr. Eric Andersen explores the biblical foundation, history, and spiritual purpose of fasting in the Catholic tradition. Beginning with the readings for Lent from Isaiah and the Gospel of St. Mark, he explains how fasting, prayer, and almsgiving restore order in the soul and help Christians respond to the troubles of the world with penance and holiness.
Fr. Andersen traces the history of fasting from the early Church through the Didache, Ember Days, vigils, and traditional Lenten discipline, showing how much has changed over time and why recovering these practices can bear great spiritual fruit today.
📖 Book referenced:
The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting and Abstinence — Matthew Plese
Purchase on Amazon at: https://a.co/d/0ccV2ekD
Chapters
00:00 Readings for Lent: Isaiah and the Gospel
03:46 Welcome to the Holy League Men’s Conference
04:50 Ash Wednesday, Lent, and the minimum fast
05:06 Why fasting matters again today
06:56 The first fast: Adam, Eve, and the fall
07:52 The Didache and weekly fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays
09:35 Early Christian witness: St. Peter of Alexandria and Pope Innocent I
11:33 Ember Days and the Four Seasons Fasts
14:06 Why Ember Days still matter
15:48 Fasting and praying for priestly vocations
16:40 Isaiah’s message: penance, mercy, and fruitfulness
17:29 Summer Lent, St. Michael’s Lent, and St. Martin’s Lent
20:30 Rediscovering the Church’s fasting tradition
21:24 Vigil fasts before major feasts
23:45 The 40 days of Lent in Church history
24:37 If you cannot fast, “pay up” through almsgiving
27:02 How fasting discipline developed over time
28:44 The gradual relaxation of fasting laws
31:24 Friday abstinence and modern regulations
34:11 The bishops’ recommendation: do more than the minimum
35:36 Final encouragement for Lent
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