Lent is a time to prepare for Easter. Throughout Lent there are days of fasting and abstinence to help us get ready. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Fasting means to refrain from eating food between meals and to eat only one full meal with the other two being light meals. It is required of those who are 18 to 59. Liquids are permitted between meals. Abstinence means to refrain from eating meat. It is require of those who are 14 years of age and older on the days listed above.