Help
With Your Rule
Fasting For Moms
Dear Holly,
Can you tell me what recommendations you might have for a nursing
mother's fasting days? I have focused on cutting out sugary and sweet
things and just drink water instead of any sodas, juices, etc...and
when I'm very brave I try to cut coffee entirely, but by the end of the
day, my head is screaming and I can't function (when I skip coffee,
that is)...hoping you can enlighten me a bit on what Our Lady might me
calling someone in my situation (I have a 3 year old and a 6 mos. old
so far:) to do on days I try to offer some fasting sacrifice.
Labels: 1st P Prayer
posted by Holly at 8:34 AM
1 Comments:
You may want to confirm this with your priest, but in my understanding of it, the only fast a nursing mother ought to be doing is to fast from fasting! Your body's health and the milk production needs of your body and your child's nutritional needs all depend upon your getting a solid balanced diet. You feed two, not one. And in the order of priorities, your daily duties come before additional penances and mortifications.
Remember that St Faustina said that the 'rule' surpasses all other penances. That we can do these over and above the rule, but that it is the rule which is most important, and that which is asked of us by God.
Since the adequate care of your body in order to feed your child well is a duty of your present state in life, I believe this comes before any additional fasting.
And, since your body, in high gear as milk-producer as well as busy mother trying to maintain a peaceful spirit in the home for the sake of your family is also a priority of the vocation, I believe you might want to keep up your balanced and healthy diet every day.
The sacrifice you will be making here is not of food, but of self-will - of accepting the duties of your state in life as an indication of God's intent for you, above your personal desire to please God in a way which you choose.
Even the saints used to get their director's OK before choosing additional penances for themselves outside of the norms found within their rules. So if there is doubt on this in your heart, do go talk to a priest about it.
For me, I think the 'giving up' of an extra-curricular penitential practice for the sake of your vocation is the way to have something to offer to God, and feel that you are still 'doing' something for Him. God loves you for your conscientiousness and desire to please Him.
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