The three disciplines of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But one of the questions people frequently have about Lent pertains to fasting. Why is it important? Is it required? And what’s the history of fasting in the Church? 

Objective:  In this course, students will learn exactly what fasting and abstinence means for Catholics during Lent. Students will learn why we fast and all about the history of fasting and its spiritual benefits.

You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on Catholic Online School every single day.

Free Resources and tools for students, parents, and teachers. We’re working hard to ensure that Catholic Online School empowers teachers of all kinds to better understand what their children or students are up to and how best to help them. 

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Lent, Fasting, and Abstinence - Lesson 1 - Lent and Fasting: Origins and Histories

    • Lesson 1 - Lent and Fasting: Origins and Histories - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 1 - Lent and Fasting: Origins and Histories - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 1 - Lent and Fasting: Origins and Histories - VIDEO

    • Lesson 1 - Lent and Fasting: Origins and Histories - QUIZ

  • 02

    Lent, Fasting, and Abstinence - Lesson 2 - The Benefits of Fasting According to St. Thomas Aquinas

    • Lesson 2 - The Benefits of Fasting According to St. Thomas Aquinas - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 2 - The Benefits of Fasting According to St. Thomas Aquinas - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 2 - The Benefits of Fasting According to St. Thomas Aquinas - VIDEO

    • Lesson 2 - The Benefits of Fasting According to St. Thomas Aquinas - QUIZ

  • 03

    Lent, Fasting, and Abstinence - Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence

    • Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence - VIDEO

    • Lent Fasting and Abstinence - Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (2/17/21)

    • Lesson 3 - Church Law on Fasting and Abstinence - QUIZ

What others are saying about this course:

Ed Farinholt

5 star rating

“I found this course, informative, accurate and helpful for my own lenten journey. Thanks Deacon and all who produced this video. Excellent work!”

“I found this course, informative, accurate and helpful for my own lenten journey. Thanks Deacon and all who produced this video. Excellent work!”

Read Less

Thomas Gruesser

5 star rating

“Clear and to the point. Easily understood. Excellent course.”

“Clear and to the point. Easily understood. Excellent course.”

Read Less

DAWN ROGERS

5 star rating

“This explained the fasting laws very well. It made clear several things that I had been unaware of. Thank you”

“This explained the fasting laws very well. It made clear several things that I had been unaware of. Thank you”

Read Less

Cristina Romero

5 star rating

“This is a very clear explanation. Thank you for the wonderful course!”

“This is a very clear explanation. Thank you for the wonderful course!”

Read Less

Charlotte K Cooper

5 star rating

“Test was not difficult because All information was given to me by the instructor.”

“Test was not difficult because All information was given to me by the instructor.”

Read Less

Christina Seligson

5 star rating

“The text was easy to understand and I learned much new information. ”

“The text was easy to understand and I learned much new information. ”

Read Less

Emily Edmonds

5 star rating

“Great course!”

“Great course!”

Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair