Hi David,

Thanks for the question.

You said:

• Are liquids such as coffee, tea, juice, soda, etc. permitted between the three meals, meaning during the obligated days of fasting? (one large meal, two smaller)
• Or is water the only liquid that can be consumed?

Yes, those drinks are permitted but as the regulations states ... enough to maintain strengthen, so drinking one quart of coffee, juice, soda, or whatever, would not be permitted.

You may find these postings helpful as well:

• How do I fast for Lent seeing I cannot go 40 days without food?
• Are you supposed to keep your Lenten sacrifices a secret or is it OK to tell others?
• Is it OK to go out and wine and dine with friends and work colleagues on Friday's during Lent?

Mike

David,

According to the document Paeniteminim, [Vatican][EWTN] III.2,

"The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing — as far as quantity and quality are concerned — approved local custom."

("Quantity" in the U.S. is generally defined as two smaller meals as needed to maintain strength that don't add up to a single regular meal.)

I don't think there is any formal restriction on liquids, although I'd be careful not to attempt to defeat the fast by legalistic interpretations of liquids, say, drinking large quantities of pureed vegetables or what have you.

Here is another take on the topic. Jimmy's conclusion: The law doesn't cover beverages but use common sense.

• The Law Of Fast: Beverages by Jimmy Akin on March 14, 2006

This document doesn't cover the definition of fasting but it is still useful —

[PDF] {Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence - A Statement Issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 18, 1966

Eric