Friday abstinence for night shift workers

[Don_Ruggero]

 

[thistle]

No. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has determined that Friday abstinence from meat is an obligation but that other penances may be substituted for the other Fridays of the year. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has determined that the prerogative of substituting another penance for Friday abstinence is extended to all the Fridays of the year except Good Friday.

Statement Regarding Fast and Abstinence

The CCCB decrees that the days of fast and abstinence in Canada are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fridays are days of abstinence, but Catholics can substitute special acts of charity or piety on these days. Accordingly, our CCCB urges us to take up the challenge of meaningful penance as expressed in fast and abstinence. They call us to become more mindful of our loving Creator and Redeemer. They ask us to be generous and faithful in our practices of penance. It is never a question of undermining one’s health. On the other hand, we should be aware of those sensible acts of penance that can actually improve our bodily health.

In a practical vein, our Bishops propose that all who are well enough, and of the prescribed age, begin now to observe abstinence on every Friday of the year that is not a major feast (e.g. Christmas Day) and to fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Individuals may wish to do more penance, but as a community let the Church at least observe the recommended days of abstinence and the two days of both fast and abstinence.

ABSTINENCE:
Will mean not to eat meat or some other favorite food and a practice of moderation in all food and drink on a given day.

FASTING:
Can vary from person to person. Some people will be able to make a total fast; eating only bread and drinking only water; others will adopt a vegetarian diet on a day of fast; others still will take only one complete meal. Each person needs to decide according to his or her ability, work and condition. But no one form is better than another, so long as it is done generously and with a good motive.

The Bishops invite all to consider every Friday of the year, and especially the season of Lent, as opportune times to praise God and ask for his blessings, to be attentive to almsgiving and other works of charity, and to strive to grow in compassion. To visit the sick, to support the needy and to offer assistance to third world countries would be practical ways of expressing genuine love for those others dear to the Lord.

People are asked to begin the practice of abstinence after their 14th birthday; fasting would obligate those who have celebrated their 18th birthday and for a period up to their 59th birthday, although all, no matter what their age, should be taught the meaning of penance. (Canon 1252)

(from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 2003)​

romancatholic.kingston.on.ca/Statement%20re%20fast%20and%20abstinence.pdf

Sorry Father but how can abstaining from meat during all Fridays in the year be an obligation when you are allowed to substitute any other form of penance. I would see that as a Friday penance being an obligation, not abstaining from meat being an obligation or have I misunderstood what you said.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Sorry Father but how can abstaining from meat during all Fridays in the year be an obligation when you are allowed to substitute any other form of penance. I would see that as a Friday penance being an obligation, not abstaining from meat being an obligation or have I misunderstood what you said.

I find my posts get so wordy that I try to take editorial shortcuts and, invariably, it comes back to haunt me when I do. Given that the issue was Lenten observance and we were talking about the Fridays of Lent, I left that part unqualified rather than repeating “Fridays of Lent” since these Fridays were in direct contrast to the Fridays of the rest of the year. Apparently, I should not have done that.

The universal norm is that Fridays are days of abstinence. The Holy See, however, allows The Conferences of Catholic Bishops to make other provisions.
*Days of Penance

Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.*
So, now, in the United States, the norm is that Fridays of Lent have mandatory abstinence while the other Fridays of the year admit of some other penance being substituted. In Canada, however, the only Friday of the year that has mandatory abstinence is Good Friday, which is also a day of fast. (And for clarity: Ash Wednesday in Canada is also a day of abstinence. It is also a day of fast.) These are by the will of the respective conferences of bishops and have been confirmed by the Holy See.

 

[Sarcelle]

Isn’t all this why God made tuna fish?

 

[thistle]

I find my posts get so wordy that I try to take editorial shortcuts and, invariably, it comes back to haunt me when I do. Given that the issue was Lenten observance and we were talking about the Fridays of Lent, I left that part unqualified rather than repeating “Fridays of Lent” since these Fridays were in direct contrast to the Fridays of the rest of the year. Apparently, I should not have done that.

The universal norm is that Fridays are days of abstinence. The Holy See, however, allows The Conferences of Catholic Bishops to make other provisions.
*Days of Penance

Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.*
So, now, in the United States, the norm is that Fridays of Lent have mandatory abstinence while the other Fridays of the year admit of some other penance being substituted. In Canada, however, the only Friday of the year that has mandatory abstinence is Good Friday, which is also a day of fast. (And for clarity: Ash Wednesday in Canada is also a day of abstinence. It is also a day of fast.) These are by the will of the respective conferences of bishops and have been confirmed by the Holy See.

Thanks Father.

 

[Phemie]

So, now, in the United States, the norm is that Fridays of Lent have mandatory abstinence while the other Fridays of the year admit of some other penance being substituted. In Canada, however, the only Friday of the year that has mandatory abstinence is Good Friday, which is also a day of fast. (And for clarity: Ash Wednesday in Canada is also a day of abstinence. It is also a day of fast.) These are by the will of the respective conferences of bishops and have been confirmed by the Holy See.

It’s interesting to note that at least one Bishop, Archbishop Terence Prendergast of Ottawa, has decreed that his subjects are to abstain from meat on the Fridays in Lent.
catholicottawa.ca/documents/2016/1/160127%20Norms%20-%20Normes.pdf

 

[OraLabora]

I think you are confusing fasting and abstinence.
The only two days fasting is required are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstaining from meat is also an obligation on these days as it is for all Fridays in Lent.

That’s not the rule in Canada. Twf is correct, abstinence (from meat) is only required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday in Lent when we must both fast (between the ages of 14 and 59) and abstain (above the age of 14) unless illness prescribes otherwise.

Fast and abstinence

The Church prescribes fasting (only one full meal and two smaller meals which together are not greater than a full meal) and abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics aged 18-59 are bound to fast; those 14 and older to abstinence. Those who are ill are freed from these obligations. Everyone, even those above the age of 59, are encouraged to fast and abstain. Parents and educators are reminded of their duty to introduce children gradually to the understanding and practice of penance.

S.29 of Canada’s liturgical calendar, the Ordo, specifies that Fridays are special days of abstinence. This includes Fridays of Lent, although Catholics can substitute special acts of charity or piety on these days.

Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver

 

[ProVobis]

Unless your Eastern- then even fish is forbidden for ALL weekdays of Lent… We Latins have it sooooooooo incredibly easy.

It was when Arthur Treacher’s and Long John SIlver’s were open for business, although I understand they’re still around in some places.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

It’s interesting to note that at least one Bishop, Archbishop Terence Prendergast of Ottawa, has decreed that his subjects are to abstain from meat on the Fridays in Lent.
catholicottawa.ca/documents/2016/1/160127%20Norms%20-%20Normes.pdf

Thank you very much for sharing this decree. I have followed His Grace with great interest for years now. The archdiocese is blessed to have him as shepherd.