Topic: What is a "Black Fast?"

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Date originally posted: March 13, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: J. Ruffo

Question:  I need details on a black fast ...what and what not i may have and if there are any special prayers that go along with it ....how many days ect. thank you

Answer:

Dear Nichola, 

What’s called the “Black Fast”, the most rigorous in the history of Church legislation, was marked by austerity regarding the quantity and quality of food permitted on fasting days as well as the time wherein such food might be legitimately consumed. 

More than one meal a day was prohibited.  And, at this meal meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and milk were forbidden.  During the season of Lent: no vino!  During Holy Week the meal consisted of: bread, salt, herbs, and water, and was not eaten until sunset.  This regime continued into the 10th Century when the custom changed to having the one meal at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon.  And, in the 14th Century this meal time was moved to noon time.  Later, in the early part of the 19th Century a custom of taking a crust of bread and some coffee in the morning was acceptable. 

 That’s pretty much the history of the “Black Fast” in a nutshell, Nichola.  It’s a practice that is really no longer used in the Church.  I guess people just stopped fasting in this way, understandably so.   

From what I’ve been able to read, the Black Fast was appropriate for Lent only.  I didn’t find any special prayers that went along with it.  After reading about this old “Black Fast”, I think I’ll just give up beer or chocolate instead. 

Father John