What to fast during Lent
In the Bible, we find different types of fasting. From Daniel's fast, to Esther's fast, to Christ's fast in the desert, fasting is deeply rooted in Jewish and Christian tradition. A period of deprivation, purification and penance, it is a spiritual highlight for believers. Today, fasting among Catholics is mostly associated with the period of Lent . But how do you go about it? What efforts should be made? Here's the best fasting to do during Lent, according to Pope Francis.
"The best fast during this Lent" according to Pope Francis ...
"I recommend the following as the best Fasting during this Lent:
- Fast from offensive words and convey only sweet and tender words.
- Fast from dissatisfaction/ ingratitude and fill yourself with gratitude.
- Fast from anger and fill yourself with gentleness and patience.
- Fast from pessimism and be optimistic.
- Fast from worry and trust in God.
- Fast from lament and take pleasure in the simple things in life.
- Fast from stress and fill yourself with prayer.
- Fast from sadness and bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
- Fast from selfishness, and equip yourself with compassion for others.
- Fast from impiety and revenge, and be filled with acts of reconciliation and forgiveness.
- Fast from words, and equip yourself with silence and the readiness to listen to others.
If we all practice this style of fasting, our daily lives will be filled with peace, joy, trust in one another and life.
So be it. "
Pope Francis
... And a divine recommendation
This text from Pope Francis echoes this beautiful biblical passage, which shows that fasting must above all be an act of love to take on its full meaning.
"Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6-7)
(Find more Bible verses on fasting)
Live Lent to the fullest with Hozana
On the Hozana website or app, find numerous suggestions for living out Lent 2026 and discover Lenten journeys that have been followed by thousands of prayers, such as :
- From Palm Sunday to Easter, let us enter into Holy Week by praying with the heart of Mary.
- Join this community to experience the extraordinary "Virtus": 70 days to be transformed by Christ and enter with him into the joy of Easter.
