Friday abstinence for night shift workers

  • Thread starter Thread starter simplyrose
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

simplyrose

Guest
I work night shift 7p-7a. I sleep during the day from 10am to 5pm. When does Friday abstinence from meat start? Yesterday evening I made taco salad for dinner because, you know, it was Thursday. I boxed up my portion to take to work like I normally would. However a Catholic coworker said I can’t eat it after midnight (I didn’t get my break before midnight). If that is the case, I can’t eat and I haven’t eaten since 7am Thursday.

Is night shift a special circumstance? I had planned a meatless meal for tomorrow…Friday (which my waking Friday extends past midnight into Saturday). I’m so confused. And hungry 😉
 
No, the abstinence is all of Friday as normal workers would see it. There is no exception for shift workers. So you could have eaten your taco salad before you went to work on Thursday evening but not for a break at work after midnight. If you want to take something with you when you leave on Thursday evening and won’t eat it until Friday it needs to be meatless.
 
simplyrose said:
I work night shift 7p-7a. I sleep during the day from 10am to 5pm. When does Friday abstinence from meat start? Yesterday evening I made taco salad for dinner because, you know, it was Thursday. I boxed up my portion to take to work like I normally would. However a Catholic coworker said I can’t eat it after midnight (I didn’t get my break before midnight). If that is the case, I can’t eat and I haven’t eaten since 7am Thursday.

Is night shift a special circumstance? I had planned a meatless meal for tomorrow…Friday (which my waking Friday extends past midnight into Saturday). I’m so confused. And hungry 😉
Click to expand...
Typically, Friday would begin at Midnight.

However, as is the case for many “shift-workers”, a quick discussion with ones priest can help iron out any difficulties.

God does not want us to do the impossible, and he certainly does not want us to put ourselves in harms way to practice a discipline.

When I worked shift work, many moons ago, after consulting with my pastor, we made my “Friday” 5pm Friday night (when I woke up) until 5pm Saturday evening.
 
simplyrose said:
I work night shift 7p-7a. I sleep during the day from 10am to 5pm. When does Friday abstinence from meat start? Yesterday evening I made taco salad for dinner because, you know, it was Thursday. I boxed up my portion to take to work like I normally would. However a Catholic coworker said I can’t eat it after midnight (I didn’t get my break before midnight). If that is the case, I can’t eat and I haven’t eaten since 7am Thursday.

Is night shift a special circumstance? I had planned a meatless meal for tomorrow…Friday (which my waking Friday extends past midnight into Saturday). I’m so confused. And hungry 😉
Click to expand...
Friday abstinence goes from midnight to midnight, regardless of when you work.

I know your shift is probably already over by now. :o The Church doesn’t want you passing out. If you are working and have no access to non-meat options, then I would probably just go ahead and eat it and make sure to abstain over the next 24 hour period instead. If I thought I could make it through without eating or else by finding something from a vending machine, I would probably try that first.
 
I worked midnights for many years. Didn’t think of this as being any different for me. It helped that my Thursday night 11pm–7am shift was called Friday for scheduling purposes. That did help me think of it as Friday. Either way, when you make your Friday lunch, you plan accordingly.
 
There is nothing special about how the church defines dates, simply midnight to midnight.

You made a mistake, not even a sin; simply pack tuna fish or peanut butter next week if you are working the same shift.
 
twf said:
Unless your Eastern- then even fish is forbidden for ALL weekdays of Lent… We Latins have it sooooooooo incredibly easy.
Click to expand...
Not just weekdays–all of Lent except for Palm Sunday and the Feast of Annunciation (if it falls during Lent).
 
RyanBlack said:
Not just weekdays–all of Lent except for Palm Sunday and the Feast of Annunciation (if it falls during Lent).
Click to expand...
Ah, right. Though shellfish is permitted, correct? In which case my dinner of rice, corn, avocado, and prawns was Byzantine-kosher tonight :D. Of course as I am a Latin in Canada I could have had a huge heaping plate of steak tonight, according to our bishops, (abstinence is only binding in Canada two days of the year - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), assuming I did some other form of penance… but in the spirit of this ancient season that just feels so wrong.
 
twf said:
Ah, right. Though shellfish is permitted, correct? In which case my dinner of rice, corn, avocado, and prawns was Byzantine-kosher tonight :D. Of course as I am a Latin in Canada I could have had a huge heaping plate of steak tonight, according to our bishops, (abstinence is only binding in Canada two days of the year - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), assuming I did some other form of penance… but in the spirit of this ancient season that just feels so wrong.
Click to expand...
Shellfish is permitted. In the ancient Mediterranean world, it was considered to be peasants’ food.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Friday abstinence goes from midnight to midnight, regardless of when you work.

I know your shift is probably already over by now. :o The Church doesn’t want you passing out.** If you are working and have no access to non-meat options, then I would probably just go ahead and eat it and make sure to abstain over the next 24 hour period instead.** If I thought I could make it through without eating or else by finding something from a vending machine, I would probably try that first.
Click to expand...
“If you are working and have no access to non-meat options, then I would probably just go ahead and eat it”

I agree with this.

“and make sure to abstain over the next 24 hour period instead.”

I think this is certainly something you could “choose” to do but do not think it is something you have to “make sure” you do.
 
simplyrose said:
I work night shift 7p-7a. I sleep during the day from 10am to 5pm. When does Friday abstinence from meat start? Yesterday evening I made taco salad for dinner because, you know, it was Thursday. I boxed up my portion to take to work like I normally would. However a Catholic coworker said I can’t eat it after midnight (I didn’t get my break before midnight). If that is the case, I can’t eat and I haven’t eaten since 7am Thursday.

Is night shift a special circumstance? I had planned a meatless meal for tomorrow…Friday (which my waking Friday extends past midnight into Saturday). I’m so confused. And hungry 😉
Click to expand...
First of all, your status lists that you are a candidate. The rules of fast and abstinence are not yet an obligation for you, until you are received into full communion with the Church, so you already have a latitude.

The canonical day runs from midnight to midnight – which is the 24 hour period when we are to observe abstinence. Normally, therefore, it is better not to think in terms of your “waking Friday.” You will experience the same 24 hours that we do but hours when we are asleep, you will be awake and vice-versa.

However, once you are Catholic and if this is a burden, speak to your pastor who can help you and, if necessary, commute the penance. Since your break time is variable and straddles the change of day, and you cannot always know when you may be allowed to take your break to eat, then commuting your abstinence may be the most sensible solution. That way, you are not guessing which day your meal will fall upon based on your variable break schedule that, after all, you cannot know in advance.

In any event, in the circumstance you describe where one, for example, brought a roast beef sandwich that one fully expected to consume at 11 p.m. on Thursday night but could not touch until 1:30 Friday morning when you finally got your break, and all one has is the roast beef sandwich, one may eat the sandwich rather than do without food – just as if you were served a meat dish dinner at a fixed menu event on Friday and one had no other option but to eat it or have nothing and the food be wasted. Your intention was to comply with the law.
 
twf said:
Ah, right. Though shellfish is permitted, correct? In which case my dinner of rice, corn, avocado, and prawns was Byzantine-kosher tonight :D. Of course as I am a Latin in Canada I could have had a huge heaping plate of steak tonight, according to our bishops, (abstinence is only binding in Canada two days of the year - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday), assuming I did some other form of penance… but in the spirit of this ancient season that just feels so wrong.
Click to expand...
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.
 
felsguy said:
“If you are working and have no access to non-meat options, then I would probably just go ahead and eat it”

I agree with this.

“and make sure to abstain over the next 24 hour period instead.”

I think this is certainly something you could “choose” to do but do not think it is something you have to “make sure” you do.
Click to expand...
Thank you. That is a better choice of words.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
First of all, your status lists that you are a candidate. The rules of fast and abstinence are not yet an obligation for you, until you are received into full communion with the Church, so you already have a latitude.

The canonical day runs from midnight to midnight – which is the 24 hour period when we are to observe abstinence. Normally, therefore, it is better not to think in terms of your “waking Friday.” You will experience the same 24 hours that we do but hours when we are asleep, you will be awake and vice-versa.

However, once you are Catholic and if this is a burden, speak to your pastor who can help you and, if necessary, commute the penance. Since your break time is variable and straddles the change of day, and you cannot always know when you may be allowed to take your break to eat, then commuting your abstinence may be the most sensible solution. That way, you are not guessing which day your meal will fall upon based on your variable break schedule that, after all, you cannot know in advance.

In any event, in the circumstance you describe where one, for example, brought a roast beef sandwich that one fully expected to consume at 11 p.m. on Thursday night but could not touch until 1:30 Friday morning when you finally got your break, and all one has is the roast beef sandwich, one may eat the sandwich rather than do without food – just as if you were served a meat dish dinner at a fixed menu event on Friday and one had no other option but to eat it or have nothing and the food be wasted. Your intention was to comply with the law.
Click to expand...
Good catch, Father! The OP is a candidate. I wasn’t sure whether the obligations would kick in after receiving all the Sacraments of Initiation or at some point after one of the Rites (i.e. Rite of Welcome or Rite of Recognition). Good to know.
 
thistle said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
Also, see excerpts , especially #s 12 & 25, from

Pastoral Statement On Penance And Abstinence

A Statement Issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops November 18, 1966
  1. Wherefore, we ask, urgently and prayerfully, that we, as people of God, make of the entire Lenten Season a period of special penitential observance. Following the instructions of the Holy See, we declare that the obligation both to fast and to abstain from meat, an obligation observed under a more strict formality by our fathers in the faith, still binds on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an obligation on the Wednesday which solemnly opens the Lenten season and on that Friday called “Good” because on that day Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins.
  2. In keeping with the letter and spirit of Pope Paul’s Constitution Poenitemini, we preserved for our dioceses the tradition of abstinence from meat on each of the Fridays of Lent, confident that no Catholic Christian will lightly hold himself excused from this penitential practice.
  3. Changing circumstances, including economic, dietary, and social elements, have made some of our people feel that the renunciation of the eating of meat is not always and for everyone the most effective means of practicing penance. Meat was once an exceptional form of food; now it is commonplace.
  4. Accordingly, since the spirit of penance primarily suggests that we discipline ourselves in that which we enjoy most, to many in our day abstinence from meat no longer implies penance, while renunciation of other things would be more penitential.
  5. Every Catholic Christian understands that the fast and abstinence regulations admit of change, unlike the commandments and precepts of that unchanging divine moral law which the Church must today and always defend as immutable. This said, we emphasize that our people are henceforth free from the obligation traditionally binding under pain of sin in what pertains to Friday abstinence, except as noted above for Lent. We stress this so that “no” scrupulosity will enter into examinations of conscience, confessions, or personal decisions on this point.
Read the entire statement here:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm
 
felsguy said:
Also, see excerpts , especially #s 12 & 25, from

Pastoral Statement On Penance And Abstinence

A Statement Issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops November 18, 1966
  1. Wherefore, we ask, urgently and prayerfully, that we, as people of God, make of the entire Lenten Season a period of special penitential observance. Following the instructions of the Holy See, we declare that the obligation both to fast and to abstain from meat, an obligation observed under a more strict formality by our fathers in the faith, still binds on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an obligation on the Wednesday which solemnly opens the Lenten season and on that Friday called “Good” because on that day Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins.
  2. In keeping with the letter and spirit of Pope Paul’s Constitution Poenitemini, we preserved for our dioceses the tradition of abstinence from meat on each of the Fridays of Lent, confident that no Catholic Christian will lightly hold himself excused from this penitential practice.
  3. Changing circumstances, including economic, dietary, and social elements, have made some of our people feel that the renunciation of the eating of meat is not always and for everyone the most effective means of practicing penance. Meat was once an exceptional form of food; now it is commonplace.
  4. Accordingly, since the spirit of penance primarily suggests that we discipline ourselves in that which we enjoy most, to many in our day abstinence from meat no longer implies penance, while renunciation of other things would be more penitential.
  5. Every Catholic Christian understands that the fast and abstinence regulations admit of change, unlike the commandments and precepts of that unchanging divine moral law which the Church must today and always defend as immutable. This said, we emphasize that our people are henceforth free from the obligation traditionally binding under pain of sin in what pertains to Friday abstinence, except as noted above for Lent. We stress this so that “no” scrupulosity will enter into examinations of conscience, confessions, or personal decisions on this point.
Read the entire statement here:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm
Click to expand...
I was addressing Thistle’s comment to a specific poster, namely that the other poster, TWF, was seemingly confused about what was required by way of fast and abstinence. TWF, who is Canadian, was correctly citing what is in fact required in Canada. That is why I posted the document from the Diocese of Kingston in Ontario. The Canadian disposition for Lenten observance is determined by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and NOT by the USCCB.

The decisions of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops are dispositive only for those who are in the United States. The statement you have cited only applies to those who are in the United States.

Those of us who live elsewhere must look to our own bishops for the discipline we are to follow. Not to the Americans.
 
I understand, Father. I simply wanted to share similar information that I found helpful with other readers here who are in the US.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top