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Objection 1: It would seem that it is not requisite for fasting that
one eat but once. For, as stated above (Article 2), fasting is
an act of the virtue of abstinence, which observes due quantity of food
not less than the number of meals. Now the quantity of food is not
limited for those who fast. Therefore neither should the number of
meals be limited.
Objection 2: Further, Just as man is nourished by meat, so is he
by drink: wherefore drink breaks the fast, and for this reason we
cannot receive the Eucharist after drinking. Now we are not forbidden
to drink at various hours of the day. Therefore those who fast should
not be forbidden to eat several times.
Objection 3: Further, digestives are a kind of food: and yet many
take them on fasting days after eating. Therefore it is not essential
to fasting to take only one meal.
On the contrary, stands the common custom of the Christian people.
I answer that, Fasting is instituted by the Church in order to
bridle concupiscence, yet so as to safeguard nature. Now only one
meal is seemingly sufficient for this purpose, since thereby man is
able to satisfy nature; and yet he withdraws something from
concupiscence by minimizing the number of meals. Therefore it is
appointed by the Church, in her moderation, that those who fast
should take one meal in the day.
Reply to Objection 1: It was not possible to fix the same quantity
of food for all, on account of the various bodily temperaments, the
result being that one person needs more, and another less food:
whereas, for the most part, all are able to satisfy nature by only one
meal.
Reply to Objection 2: Fasting is of two kinds [Article 1, ad
3]. One is the natural fast, which is requisite for receiving the
Eucharist. This is broken by any kind of drink, even of water,
after which it is not lawful to receive the Eucharist. The fast of
the Church is another kind and is called the "fasting of the
faster," and this is not broken save by such things as the Church
intended to forbid in instituting the fast. Now the Church does not
intend to command abstinence from drink, for this is taken more for
bodily refreshment, and digestion of the food consumed, although it
nourishes somewhat. It is, however, possible to sin and lose the
merit of fasting, by partaking of too much drink: as also by eating
immoderately at one meal.
Reply to Objection 3: Although digestives nourish somewhat they are
not taken chiefly for nourishment, but for digestion. Hence one does
not break one's fast by taking them or any other medicines, unless one
were to take digestives, with a fraudulent intention, in great
quantity and by way of food.
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