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As Lent begins on February 18, the ancient practice of fasting is once again moving into focus. Although often reduced to the idea of “giving something up,” fasting has deep cultural and religious roots that stretch back thousands of years. According to Christian Feichtinger, theologian at the University of Graz, many traditions share three core dimensions that reveal fasting as a holistic practice rather than a mere dietary restriction.
Three Dimensions of Fasting
“The first dimension concerns the individual,” Feichtinger explains. “It’s about confronting one’s own dependencies, comforts, and weaknesses in order to bring body and mind back into balance.”
The second dimension is social. Fasting has historically been a communal practice—people fast together, share experiences, and celebrate the end of the fasting period as a group. While secularization and individualization have weakened this communal aspect, it remains visible in parts of southern Austria, where the traditional Easter food blessing on Holy Saturday marks the beginning of the shared breaking of the fast.
“The third dimension,” Feichtinger adds, “is stepping away from self-centeredness and redirecting one’s attention toward God.”
Biblical Motives: Preparation and Crisis
In the Bible, fasting is closely linked to two major themes. One is preparation: “Jesus fasts before beginning his public ministry,” Feichtinger notes. The other is crisis—moments of grief, uncertainty, or repentance. In both cases, fasting serves as a way to reorient oneself and open up to the divine.
A Growing Diversity of Practices
Today, fasting is characterized by its diversity. As society has become more individualized, so too has the way people fast. Yet this trend is not entirely new. Feichtinger points to Ignatius of Loyola, who in the 16th century encouraged people to examine their personal habits and counteract them intentionally to regain inner freedom and vitality.
What remains unchanged is that fasting is always temporary. “It’s not about rejecting something entirely,” Feichtinger emphasizes, “but about restoring a healthy relationship to it.” Fasting, he says, is more than abstinence—“it engages the whole person.”
Retreating to Monasteries
More and more people are choosing to spend their fasting period in a monastery. “It’s a break from the familiar that helps sharpen awareness,” Feichtinger explains. “And it places you within a structured environment.”
Old Traditions, New Approaches
New forms of fasting have also emerged, giving traditional practices a contemporary twist. Feichtinger points to the use of Lenten veils—large cloths that cover religious images during Lent—as a form of “visual fasting.” By temporarily concealing the familiar, they help worshippers rediscover the sacred with fresh eyes.
Modern equivalents include taking breaks from social media, which Feichtinger describes as “a fasting of the sense of sight.”
Another example is the renewed interest in weekly meat fasting. While abstaining from meat on Fridays was once mandatory in the Catholic Church, today even non-religious ethicists are revisiting the practice for environmental reasons. “Religion has always been a space where people negotiate current societal issues,” Feichtinger says. “Traditions gain new meaning in the process.” Fasting, he concludes, is a prime example of this dynamic.
- Hector Pascua with reports from kleinezeitung.at/picture: pixabay.com
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