What food can one eat, how much and when?

The e5 fast consists of only eating bread and drinking water. The times consumed and amount of bread or water is totally left up to the personal discernment of each e5 Man.

Can I change my fast day from the first Wednesday of the month to another day?

Yes. There is no requirement that you fast on the first Wednesday of the month. The first Wednesday is only the traditional day for the e5. It is designed to support those that are fasting that day and to motivate them through the fact that thousands of other e5 Men are fasting with them that day. But there are always circumstances that the first Wednesday is not possible or even desired for some members. That is why it is left totally up to the discretion of each e5 Man. The only requirement is that it be at least one day a month; that day could be any day you choose.

How long is the fast?

The e5 fast last for a minimum of 24 hours. This 24 hour period is left up to the personal discernment of each e5 Man. Two popular time frames are 1) midnight to midnight and 2) midnight to breakfast the day after the fast.

What constitutes bread for the e5 fast?

"Bread" means simple bread. No toppings like margarine or butter and no extras in the bread like raisins or nuts.

What about those that have medical issues that prohibit them from partaking in the e5 fast or severely limit it?

Those men with medical conditions such as diabetes or hypoglycemia can adjust the sacrifice to something that they think is comparable in sacrifice to the one day bread and water fast but does not endanger their health.

What about those that need caffeine?

There are three types of options for those that are addicted to caffeine.

The person could wean themselves off caffeine permanently or perhaps a few days before the fast
A person could supplement their caffeine intake through other means such as caffeinated water or other supplements that may be available on the market. ( i.e. www.waterjoe.com )
A person could drink coffee but extend the fast a self determined number of hours (i.e. +12 hours)

Do I tell my wife?

There are two answers No and Yes. It really depends on your situation. By telling one's wife one might risk spiritual pride or she may even discourage you. However, in other situations by telling one's wife you are allowing her to participate in the e5 Women part of e5 Men. She can actively pray to receive God's graces merited for her. Often wives are greatly encouraged and gain new hope by knowing that their husband is laying down his body for her. I'm sure there are infinite reasons for both approaches depending on the situation. These are just examples to help you start thinking of the specifics of your situation. It's ultimately your call.

Does the e5 fast ever conflict with the Catholic Church's (Latin Rite) requirements for fasting?

No. In fact the Catholic Church (Latin Rite) never requires one of its members to ever stop sacrificing. However, the Catholic Church (Latin Rite) does require fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Catholic Church (Latin Rite) also requires abstinence from meat on all Fridays.

Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

(Which the Episcopal conference in the United States has done.)

The Catholic Church (Latin Rite) does however lift the requirement of abstinence on any "Solemnity" that lands on a Friday. This does not restrict a Catholic of the Latin Rite from fasting or abstaining on that day, it only lifts the requirement to do so. However, it would seem that one might not typically fast or abstain on solemnities to be in the spirit with the rest of the Church.

Following are the solemnities of the Catholic Church (Latin Rite).

January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Solemnity of the Epiphany (has been assigned to Sunday falling between January 2 and January 8 in the U.S.)

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension

Solemnity of Corpus Christi (has been assigned to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday in the U.S.)

August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

November 1, the solemnity of All Saints

December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Easter and the 7 days after Easter - up to and including the following Sunday

What about Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?

The e5 Man by fasting on bread and water only on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday does not conflict with the Latin Rite Catholic Church's requirement to fast on those days. The fasting on those days is only increased by the bread and water fast of the e5 Man if he chooses to fast an "e5 fast" on those days.

Below are the particular canons of the Latin Rite that inform the information Just presented.

Can. 1249 All Christ's faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.