Abbot Gueranger on Penitential Works Performed Outside the Church

“...Many passed two, three, and even four consecutive days, without tasting any food; but the general practice was to fast from Maundy Thursday evening to Easter morning. Many Christians in the east, and in Russia, observe this fast even in these times. Would that such severe penance were always accompanied by a firm faith and union with the Church, out of which the merit of such penitential works is of no avail to salvation!”

Abbot Gueranger O.S.B. The Liturgical Year. VI Passiontide