Parish Office: 4727 McHugh Drive, Zachary, LA 70791
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00-5:00, Fri 8:00-3:00
225-654-5778 | Frontdesk@sjb-ola.org
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Schedule a Fasting Day
Selecting a day of your choice to commit to fasting and prayer is recommended, during the retreat 2/15 - 3/19, but is not required. The suggested fast is bread and water.
(For those with health limitations, a modified fast can be observed, such as cutting out desserts, coffee, or eating only vegetables, beans, and/or nuts, and drinking plenty of water.)
To schedule your fasting day and have your name included on the daily email complete and submit the form below. The group will remember you and join you in your intentions in their prayers for the day. -
Why do we fast?
The spiritual practice of fasting from food reaches into the core of our being, giving us more life in the Spirit and less in the "flesh", thus transforming who we are. Cravings for the things of this world can vanish, as our will comes more under control.
The suggested fast is bread and water. (For those with health limitations, a modified fast can be observed. This might mean cutting out desserts and coffee, or eating only vegetables, beans and/or nuts. and drinking plenty of water.)In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites." Biblical fasting ushers in windfalls of grace and precedes great things. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments, Queen Ester invoked a fast to save the Jews of the Persian empire from extermination, Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert before His public ministry began.Fasting can also offer clear answers to problems, cure addictions, prevent famine and wars, and suspend natural laws.According to St. Basil the Great:"Fasting gives birth to prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good safeguard for the soul, a steadfast companion for the body, a weapon for the valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes. Fasting repels temptations, anoints unto piety; it is the comrade of watchfulness and the artificer of chastity. In war it fights bravely, in peace it teaches stillness."