Do you eat meat on Fridays?

[TeresaMarie24]

I ask the question not to be cheeky, but out of a real curiosity. When we were novices, we were taught that it was mortally sinful to ask these questions. Only a superior, confessor or spiritual director could ask such questions. In our own community, we never ask such questions. We’re taught that it is a grave invasion of another person’s spiritual journey.

I realize that lay people are not under any rule of life . . . though sometimes I wish everyone was. Life would be simpler; but that’s a topic for another day. However, isn’t this an invasive question of sorts?

Now I’m curious… Why would it be mortally sinful to ask those questions? Why would it be sinful at all? I know some of my close friends and I are very into discussing our faith and we ask all manner of personal questions. Are we committing a sin by doing this or are you only referring to those living as religious brothers and sisters? Thanks!

 

[Spudbynight]

I answered that “I never eat meat on Fridays”

It does require clarification. I abstain from meat on all Fridays when required. That means I don’t abstain always abstain when ill and I also don’t abstain on Solemnities.

 

[adawgj]

I don’t eat meat on Fridays during lent, but other than that I eat meat on Fridays all the time especially since I do a lot of athletic activities.

 

[4elise]

I answered I never eat meat on Fridays, but then again I never eat meat!

God Bless,

 

[VivienneJ]

My answer, ‘I only don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent’ needs some explanation. I currently reside in an area where the norm is to abstain from meat on Wednesdays throughout the year and on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent. (For the approximately 8 Fridays of the year that I am in a different country I try to avoid meat on Fridays, but, as I am staying with others during that time, it is not always possible.)

 

[VivienneJ]

At a chain, or a big restaurant, it is usually very possible to find a vegetarian or salad option that will be fine, as stated here.

Swizzle, I’ve found it is almost always possible in a chain to find something vegetarian, even if it is a plate of fries and a coke (gag). I’ve been dragged places like Portillo’s (really for hamburgers and hot dogs) and managed to find something else on the menu.

But, Gidge, I have eaten out at small, family-type places where there is no non-meat option on the menu. (Last Friday was an example of this for me; it does happen, the finding an alternative penitential act is necessary.)

I can’t think of any place that does not have salad or vegetarian offerings (Even McD’s has filet-o-fish).