LENTEN REMINDER Ash Wednesday, March 5th, and Good Friday, April 18th, are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fast, that is limited to a single full meal. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older. The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday. The other Fridays of the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.