The position of the SSPX on fasting during Lent

Feb 17, 2025

Since I have been a traditionalist (1978), I have always been under the assumption, that the rules of the lentin fast and abstinence should be followed according to the last revisions of Pope Pius XII, i.e. 1953 or 1957 and definetely NOT any new rules adhering to the changes of Vatican Council II. I attend Mass at a SSPX on Long Island and the bulletin on Ash Wednesday stated the following:
“All catholics ages 14 and up are obliged to abstain from meat this Ash Wednesday. And all catholics between ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast this Ash Wednesday. New Code Canons 1251 & 1252. All Catholics are encouraged, though no longer under pain of Mortal Sin, to keep the fast throughout the remainder of lent excepting Sundays. The fast of Lent is no longer obligatory under pain of Sin except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday which still oblige under pain of mortal sin.
The obligation to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year still obliges under pain of venial sin.”
What does the reference to “new Code Canons….” Mean? - the Newchurch (since Vatican II) canons or the Old Church canons? It sounds to me as though the SSPX has one foot in the Novus Ordo church and the other in Tradition. What do I tell my children and grandchildren – who look to me for guidance in such matters??
Hoping to hear from you shortly and God Bless.
Joan Malone

MHFM: The canons to which you referred are from the new code. The SSPX adheres to the new fasting rules promulgated by Antipope John Paul II in the new code of canon law (1983). Thus, they hold that one is not bound to fast except on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. This is simply a by-product of their false position.

Many traditionalists don’t know that every day in Lent (except for Sundays) is an obligatory day of fast because they’ve been instructed by non-sedevacantist, independent “traditionalist” priests (such as the priests of the SSPX, etc.) who accept the new disciplinary laws of the Vatican II sect.