Accidental meat consumption breaks Lenten abstinence?

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You cannot sin by accident.

It would be good to verify if there are any particular definitions by the bishop in your diocese that are more stringent than what’s on the USCCB site, as it would be wrong to simply refuse to get information (which is relatively easy to obtain) out of fear that your diocese might have more stringent definitions.

But as an example–over a decade ago, my grandmother passed away, and the funeral was on a Friday that happened to fall during Lent. I am the only Catholic in my family of origin. But somehow, the Friday aspect completely blanked out of my head that entire day–I ate sausages at the hotel-provided breakfast buffet, and the funeral meal featured fried chicken. It wasn’t until after the funeral meal and we were headed back to the hotel that oldest son asked what day of the week it was … and somehow I knew and answered “Friday, all day” but until that moment, my mind had completely disconnected that it was Friday. Got home, spoke to my parish priest who advised that we had not sinned that Friday, since our minds were consumed with burying my grandmother and we had not intentionally set out to violate the Lenten abstinence.

I think the most important thing to remember during this Lenten season is that God is not sitting in heaven waiting to play “aha, gotcha!” … God wants to pour out His mercy on us all, and our Lenten disciplines are to help us receive and appreciate that mercy.
 
Shakuhachi said:
No it feeds right into legal minimalism and scrupulosity.

On the other hand, it is part of our Catholic culture and helps define our identity.

Anyone going to a good ol fish fri this Friday?
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No to what? You do know that lentent abstinence and fasting is canonical right?

It is not about identity. Its the minimal act of communal penance asked to us by the church. And it is a big deal because this is made by every catholic arounf the world which maked it an effective offering. The minimal one absolutely required ( which has dispensations for special cases)

There is also our lenten penances to do away with the barriers between God and us ( bad habits , lack of prayer, vices etc) which are an important element into real conversion, as well as fostering a bond with God through reading of the gospels prayers etc.

But the minimal and expected penance has been and is prayer, fasting and abstinence.

If you are a catholic then you should know we dont get to cherry pick what we want. It is all or nothing.
 
Hah! That wasn’t supposed to be a “No”. More like a “Yes, and”. Sorry
 
TactiKat said:
According to the Canon, Meat and meat derivatives such as soups and creams should be avoided as it is obligation in Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

What if someone was observing both fasting and abstinence but unknowingly consumed meat via a derivative or a dish that appeared to be completely non meat based but contained a soup possibly made of meat? Does this break fasting?

Sorry for what may seem ridiculous questions but,i tend to battle a lot with scrupulosity and can’t help but to ask.
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I am assuming that you are a Latin Rite Catholic. There is generally no prohibition on dairy or cream. Nor do we have to obsess about hidden ingredients.

Read the directions from the Bishop’s Conference in your country, such as the US Catholic Conference link below:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm

Please talk to an experienced priest about scrupulosity. God does not want you to be nervous/anxious about trivial things.
 
TactiKat said:
According to the Canon, Meat and meat derivatives such as soups and creams should be avoided as it is obligation in Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

What if someone was observing both fasting and abstinence but unknowingly consumed meat via a derivative or a dish that appeared to be completely non meat based but contained a soup possibly made of meat? Does this break fasting?

Sorry for what may seem ridiculous questions but,i tend to battle a lot with scrupulosity and can’t help but to ask.
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You CANNOT sin by accident. Sins are deliberate.
 
Good for you, except for the whole derailment part, as this thread is about Lent, not vegetarian indoctrination.
 
Everybody, please take special note of the OP’s mention of a struggle with scrupulosity.

The rest of us debating the minutiae of the rules is likely not a healthy thing for him or her.

TactiKat, the key point, as others have already said, is that you cannot sin accidentally. Practice the Lenten abstinence as best you can and be at peace. Please also seek the help of a priest and/or therapist.
 
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Thank you all. And thank you usagi for clearing this up.

Also i find it really bad to obsess over littlw thi gs like this
 
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