Ash Wednesday, every Friday in Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence: all Catholics over the age of 14 are obliged to abstain from meat on these days.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of fasting: all Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 whose health permits should limit themselves to one meal and two small snacks.
In addition to the fasting and abstinence requirements listed above, all persons are generally obliged to do penance during the entire season of Lent. This obligation may be fulfilled by various good works, such as voluntary abstinence, prayer, self-denial, almsgiving, and acts of charity.