Chicken broth

[CMatt25]

With Lent fast approaching, why would your bishops and moral theologians not agree about something like chicken broth? And I’m unclear by bringing the theologians into it, if CAF apologists suggest following the bishops or the moral theologians?

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=10262277&postcount=2

 

[gardenswithkids]

I read that as a cook. Cooks often use chicken base in foods that you might think of as “meatless”, like clam chowders or cheese soup. Soups and sauces may have hidden sources of meat juices, but we don’t have to hunt down those ingredients and read lables with magnifine glasses. When I cook on Fridays in Lent, I generally avoid using them, but I don’t worry about it when eating at restaurants.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

With Lent fast approaching, why would your bishops and moral theologians not agree about something like chicken broth? And I’m unclear by bringing the theologians into it, if CAF apologists suggest following the bishops or the moral theologians?

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=10262277&postcount=2

I have been confused about this for some time. Several years ago, I was a patient in a Catholic hospital, recovering from surgery during Holy Week, and to my horror (being on a post-surgical liquid diet at the time) I was brought clear chicken broth on Good Friday no less. To my shame, it being the only food I was allowed, I ate the broth. I’ve never gotten over that. To this day I think I should have refused, on principle, and obeyed my conscience.

 

[Julia_Mae]

This is from your link:

Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.

You’ve misunderstood, no one is disagreeing on the matter, Father is just giving a full explanation.

See the “shellfish are permitted” at the very end? It’s a good example of what Fr is explaining. Under the rules, you can eat shellfish. But under the purpose of the fast, you might be obeying a rule, but still not abiding by the Lenten fast if you eat Lobster Newberg for dinner.

The Lenten fast is about penance. You can eat fish, but a lot of caviar isn’t too penitential, is it?

We are in remembrance and honor of Jesus Christ sacrificing Himself on the Cross. We are abstaining from “blood meats” - but we also should be abstaining from any luxury or indulgence in terms of food. Or anything else during Lent.

The things Father mentions: the dairy products are ways of obtaining proteins while not indulging in red meat. If a person wants to fully participate in a penitential season, they can do without all animal products. For some it isn’t practical, for others not healthy.

This isn’t about rigid systems of rules, it’s about honoring the sacrifice of Our Lord.

 

[KP3243]

Meat is considered a luxury in most of the world as it was when Jesus was living with us. Fasting and abstaining from meat is a way of turning to God as part of detachment from earthly things. Fasting predates Christianity as it was a means to a higher prayer life in the old covenant as well. The moral theologians are just pointing out the detachment from anything meat related would serve a higher purpose.

 

[RoseMary131]

I have been confused about this for some time. Several years ago, I was a patient in a Catholic hospital, recovering from surgery during Holy Week, and to my horror (being on a post-surgical liquid diet at the time) I was brought clear chicken broth on Good Friday no less. To my shame, it being the only food I was allowed, I ate the broth. I’ve never gotten over that. To this day I think I should have refused, on principle, and obeyed my conscience.

You should not feel shame for eating the food given you at the hospital when recovering from surgery. Your body needed food, special food - not just any food. Your doctor prescribed you to be on a post-surgical liquid diet for medical purposes. I hope you can feel at peace about this meal. Going without food following surgery would probably not have been healthy for you.

 

[CMatt25]

I read that as a cook. Cooks often use chicken base in foods that you might think of as “meatless”, like clam chowders or cheese soup. Soups and sauces may have hidden sources of meat juices, but we don’t have to hunt down those ingredients and read lables with magnifine glasses. When I cook on Fridays in Lent, I generally avoid using them, but I don’t worry about it when eating at restaurants.

I was reminded when reading your post of a Thanksgiving meal where we had vegetarians present. One of the vegetarians was questioning what she could eat. When the main cook of the day included the dressing, I reminded them it had chicken broth in it. The vegetarian still ate it.

 

[CMatt25]

I have been confused about this for some time. Several years ago, I was a patient in a Catholic hospital, recovering from surgery during Holy Week, and to my horror (being on a post-surgical liquid diet at the time) I was brought clear chicken broth on Good Friday no less. To my shame, it being the only food I was allowed, I ate the broth. I’ve never gotten over that. To this day I think I should have refused, on principle, and obeyed my conscience.

I join Rose Mary in hoping you can be at peace and not allow this to trouble you any longer. She makes a good point it seems to me that the doctor prescribed a liquid diet for you at the time for medical reasons. Doesn’t the Catholic Church allow exceptions for medical or health reasons?

 

[CMatt25]

You’ve misunderstood, no one is disagreeing on the matter, Father is just giving a full explanation.

See the “shellfish are permitted” at the very end? It’s a good example of what Fr is explaining. Under the rules, you can eat shellfish. But under the purpose of the fast, you might be obeying a rule, but still not abiding by the Lenten fast if you eat Lobster Newberg for dinner.

The Lenten fast is about penance. You can eat fish, but a lot of caviar isn’t too penitential, is it?

We are in remembrance and honor of Jesus Christ sacrificing Himself on the Cross. We are abstaining from “blood meats” - but we also should be abstaining from any luxury or indulgence in terms of food. Or anything else during Lent.

The things Father mentions: the dairy products are ways of obtaining proteins while not indulging in red meat. If a person wants to fully participate in a penitential season, they can do without all animal products. For some it isn’t practical, for others not healthy.

This isn’t about rigid systems of rules, it’s about honoring the sacrifice of Our Lord.

Julia, I fully agree about lobster. And I understand what you are saying about rules vs sacrifice and that chicken broth is animal product related. The only thing that comes to my mind though since the bishops allow it, is I don’t consider chicken broth on the level of indulgence or luxury that I would a seafood buffet of lobster, scallops, and shrimp cocktail. And now you have me craving grilled scallops. Though I need to indulge in them sparingly myself for health reasons, they are my favorite seafood! Thanks for your explanation and peace be with you. God bless!