Are Friday’s in Lent fast days?

[Username7]

My priest told me that all Friday’s on lent were fast days and that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fast days so does the 2 small meals and one regular meal apply today? As well as all Fridays? I asked this question before and didn’t get many answers so I think I’ll ask again.

 

[anon98328916]

I never eat meat on Friday all year round, I feel it’s the least I can do as respect for the suffering and agony Jesus went through.

 

[Kaliaa]

All Fridays of Lent are abstinence days (no meat). Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of fast.

There are, of course, some exceptions to this short answer for medical reasons or age.

 

[Username7]

So Friday’s aren’t fast days? (2 small meals, 1 regular meal)

My priest said all Fridays are fast days, but I think he made a mistake, or I misunderstood him. He’s also from the Philippines and I’m assuming English isn’t his first language, and he may not have thought of the word abstinence right then and there.

 

[Kaliaa]

Right… other than Good Friday.

I suspect you are right about your priest.

 

[Username7]

So if I eat 3 regular meals today there is no sin? (As long as there is no meat)

 

[Kaliaa]

Correct…

 

[Username7]

Yeah, I skip breakfast, and coffee as penance in Friday’s. But I thought during Lent I had to change things up.

 

[Username7]

Do you know of any Catholic churches, or parishes that observe the 2 small meals, 1 regular meal every Friday during lent?

 

[Username7]

Both of the readings from the Holy Mass are appropriate? What do you mean by this?

 

[Username7]

Do things as simple as a cold shower, or push ups really count? I’d maybe think that’s being deliberately light, but I’m not sure.

 

[Sirach2]

My priest told me that all Friday’s on lent were fast days and that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fast days so does the 2 small meals and one regular meal apply today? As well as all Fridays?

Your priest probably meant to say all lenten Fridays are days of “abstinence” - no meat. For other Fridays outside of lent, you may eat meat, but I do not do so, unless I am at a special dinner as a guest where meat is served. There is no sin to eat meat on non-lenten Fridays, but it is a devotional practice that some observe.

If you are under 59, you must fast on Good Friday besides abstaining from meat. And yes, two small meals that do not equal your main meal are the norm for fasting.