Fasting for virtue: The development of the virtue of temperance in light of acceptance and commitment therapy, enhanced by the perspective of appropriate Catholic fasting

Abstract

In the Catholic tradition, fasting is an act of sacrifice for love of God and a path to virtue (Benedict XVI, 2009; John Paul II, 1993; Tanquerey, 2000). Appropriate Catholic fasting can also be applied to the therapeutic setting to help those struggling with self-indulgent behaviors, such as overeating, to develop self-control and temperance, which would hopefully generalize to other areas of their lives. This dissertation raises and responds to the following questions: The first is whether a Catholic approach to fasting, in its practical, relational, and spiritual dimensions, can be therapeutically applied to a client’s desire for flourishing in the midst of suffering from habits of overeating. The second question inquires as to how the therapeutic alliance as a relational support can serve the client’s goals to attain temperance and self-care through appropriate fasting. This dissertation uses a Catholic conceptualization of the human person as a foundation to illustrate the need for this disciplined practice and the importance of the virtue of temperance, includinginterpersonal support. It defines appropriate Catholic fasting, contrasts it with nonreligious fasting, and examines the various uses of fasting, as well as their positive and negative effects. Additionally, this dissertation explores various motivations to fast as well as barriers and facilitators of client adherence. Finally, it will incorporate appropriate Catholic fasting into Acceptance and Behavior Therapy (ACT) with the support of the therapeutic relationship. Fasting through ACT will be applied to overeating as an example of the many potential clinical applications of appropriate fasting.