Do you abstain or fast on Fridays

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wcknight

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years ago, it was considered a mortal sin to purposely have meat on Fridays (even outside of Lent). Now outside of Lent, it seems to be an optional day when one can choose to abstain from meat or give up something else. I think many folks ignore it entirely.

What is the official position and what do you do personally ?

I try to abstain from meat on Fridays, BUT occasionally I forget or the wife happens to cook meat, in which case I try to abstain on Saturday or part of Saturday to make up for it.
 
The official stance of the church is that we must do some sort of penance on Fridays. whether that be abstaining from meat or another sort of penitential action.

As for me, I abstain from meat because it is easy for me to remember to do each Friday.
 
The official position is in Lent, no meat on Fridays. On other Fridays, either no meat or some other sacrifice. The point is to do some penance on Fridays to enter more deeply into the Passion of Our Lord. For me, I usually at least abstain from meat, and I usually don’t eat meat and “make some other sacrifice” simply because I know I usually never remember to do that. And obviously in Lent I just don’t eat meat. I also often fast on Fridays, usually something like skipping a meal or eating anything between meals, or not eating anything until dinner.
 
wcknight said:
years ago, it was considered a mortal sin to purposely have meat on Fridays (even outside of Lent). Now outside of Lent, it seems to be an optional day when one can choose to abstain from meat or give up something else. I think many folks ignore it entirely.

What is the official position and what do you do personally ?

I try to abstain from meat on Fridays, BUT occasionally I forget or the wife happens to cook meat, in which case I try to abstain on Saturday or part of Saturday to make up for it.
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I believe there is an argument that the requirement to abstain from meat on fridays was never abrogated in most countries throughout the world and where I live in England its been re-introduced.

Personally I try to abstain on both fridays and wednesdays (to honour our lady of Mt Carmel) though of course sometimes I forget and unwittingly eat meat.
 
I too abstain from meat on Fridays, though I, too, have unwittingly consumed meat, as there are days I have so many details in my head I have to think hard or look at my phone to tell you what day it is.

I wish that abstaining on Fridays had not been lost in this country. If done in the proper frame of mind (i.e. a willing sacrifice instead of an obligation forced upon one) it brings us closer to the Lord.
 
I abstain from meat, tv, soda, sweet, uneccecary social activities, tv (most of the day), coffee and tea.
 
Acts of charity are also allowable expressions.

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1438.htm

Catechism of the Catholic Church
1438 The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).
 
I abstain from meat on Fridays, however today was an exception. I was sick.

God bless.
 
We abstain from meat on Friday’s. If one of us forgets, we’ll offer another sacrifice (like an extra prayer of act of charity).
 
Wow, I went to catholic school and I never knew you had to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent.
 
I was not raised a Catholic, but my mom’s family was (Traditional) Catholic, before Vatican II. I remember once in the early 1960s, asking Grandmom why her calendar from the drug store had little red fishes on every Friday.

She said, “Its because on Friday you’re not supposed to eat meat, but fish instead, in memory of the fact that Christ was crucified on that day”.

Because she told me that, I never ate meat on Fridays…and when I became a (Traditional) Roman Catholic in the late 1970s, I was already in the practice of eating fish on Fridays!

I remember too, in my neighborhood, every Friday you could smell fish being fried in peoples’ homes, and as you walked down the street the smell would waft right past your face…I loved it! 🙂

Note: In the Eastern Orthodox Church, they abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, and have never stopped…Wednesday because that is the day Christ was betrayed by Judas.
 
Zhenia said:
Note: In the Eastern Orthodox Church, they abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, and have never stopped…Wednesday because that is the day Christ was betrayed by Judas.
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ALL meat (anything with a backbone, i.e. no fish), dairy, eggs, wine, and oil. During Great Lent or the Christmas Lent, the same prescription for every day of the season.
 
I never eat meat on Fridays and rarely on Wednesdays. I regard these fastings as small penances but they keep me focused on the Lord. Sadly, I don’t see many Catholics adhering to the teachings of the Church on this matter, they are totally ignorant. Fasting is one of the most powerful prayers. Inspire your brethren.

Ostended nobis, Domine, misericordiam Tuam.
 
wcknight said:
years ago, it was considered a mortal sin to purposely have meat on Fridays (even outside of Lent). Now outside of Lent, it seems to be an optional day when one can choose to abstain from meat or give up something else. I think many folks ignore it entirely.

What is the official position and what do you do personally ?

I try to abstain from meat on Fridays, BUT occasionally I forget or the wife happens to cook meat, in which case I try to abstain on Saturday or part of Saturday to make up for it.
Click to expand...
I both fast and abstain on all Fridays (except Solemnities, of course). Part of my way of life with this group…

penitents.org/
 
I usually fast on bread and water on wednesdays and fridays until after vespers. On fridays I then have a meatless dinner.
Being a cradle catholic for me having fish on fridays simply comes natural. But not so for my protestant husband and father in law. But they don’t complain because they like fish!👍
 
Hoernchen said:
I usually fast on bread and water on wednesdays and fridays until after vespers. On fridays I then have a meatless dinner.
Being a cradle catholic for me having fish on fridays simply comes natural. But not so for my protestant husband and father in law. But they don’t complain because they like fish!👍
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I have been dying to have some chicken fingers that my teen daughter made for dinner yesterday. So I said, “Okay. I’ll have it at midnight”. Then I fell asleep before midnight, lol.
 
I do abstain unless I am invited to dinner and the host prepares meat. I’ve read somewhere that in such a situation we should not make a fuss and eat the food.
 
Always abstain from meat on Fridays…God made fish and chips for the faithful:D

Fasting is more for Lent, Ember Days,and Vigils…where only one meal is taken.

The original and best diet of all…the Catholic Diet!!!👍
 
I abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, and have no issue with that as I love a good fried fish dinner. I was raised from childhood to not eat meat on Fridays during Lent.

I rarely fast for health reasons. I attempt to do something for others / penitential for the non Lenten Fridays I eat meat. I would have no issue if the US bishops said all Catholics should abstain from meat on every Friday of the year (with the exception of St Patrick’s Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if they fall on Fridays).
 
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