Ember Days

The Ember days, which are the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays immediately after the First Sunday of Lent, Pentecost, September 14th, and the third Sunday of Advent, are days of fasting and abstinence.  According to Pope St. Leo the Great, the object of this fast is that Catholics may purify themselves and do penance as they begin each quarter of the year.

Observing Ember Days is a requirement for all Catholics, unless otherwise dispensed due to age or some other reason. See this page on who is required to fast.

(Note regarding the graphic: the quantity of the two meatless meals should not total in size the quantity of the main meal, but should be lesser than it.)