[TCCM] Ash Wednesday Fast & Abstinence 2026

[Michael Medas]

TODAY is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Holy Mass and blessing with Ash at 12:05pm (MIT Chapel) and 7:30pm (La Sala).
More information:  MITCatholic.org

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year until the beginning of their 60th year.

  *   Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal.
  *   Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have completed their 14th year of age (c. 1252).

Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year.

If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare to share more fully and celebrate more readily his Resurrection (see Sacrosanctum Concilium, 109).

As always, anyone for whom fasting or abstinence would pose a health risk is excused, including pregnant women.

Blessings and peace,

Fr Michael

Reverend Michael B. Medas, MSW
Catholic Chaplain | Director of Catholic Ministry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
W11-012
40 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139



“Jesus loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy.
When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes,
He is the one who always accepts you.  Only believe, you are precious to Him.
Bring all you are suffering to His feet, only open your heart to be loved by Him as you are.
He will do the rest.”  Saint Mother Teresa

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