Collation (meal)

[1] The traditional Black Fast of Western Christianity, which was broken after sunset, did not permit a collation if strictly observed.

[5] The consumption of a collation originally derives from the rule dating from the mid-6th century A.D. in Benedictine monasteries, that the usual evening meal was to be followed by the reading of excerpts from Collationes patrum in Scetica eremo[6] written by John Cassian in around 420 A.D.[7] However, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, on days of fasting there would be no evening meal: Vespers was directly followed by the readings from the Collationes or the Lives of the Fathers, and then Compline.

[9] Over the centuries, this eventually grew to apply to the indulgence of "a recognized quantity of solid food" allowed on days of fasting, with or without abstinence.

[13] At the present time, on Christian strict fasting days of Lent (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), the Catholic Church prescribes "only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing — as far as quantity and quality are concerned — approved local custom.".

In British English today, a collation is likewise a light meal, offered to guests when there is insufficient time for fuller entertainment.