Friday Penance: Alternate Modes

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HerrZJA

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Heya gang. I hope this is in the right spot.

I’ve been trying for a few weeks now to abstain from meat on Friday, and it works. This week, though, as it happens, the cupboards are pretty bare, and it’s difficult for me to invision making it through the day without any meat, since most of my canned goods are either baked beans (which my brother loves but I can’t stand) or soups I made myself with chicken stock.

My first question was whether or not that made it more acceptable to choose an alternate penance. My second question would be to whether or not giving up my computer (to which I am joined at the hip) and my Nintendo DS for the day, and focusing instead on reading my bible, doing physical activities, or reading other books (or doing other, more intellectually-sound hobbies) would be an acceptable alternative.

I normally don’t look for loopholes, but all I really have are two jar/cans of chicken noodle soup, the baked beans, a box of Apple Cinnamon Cherios, a loaf of bread, and some pork chops. I normally keep fish in the house, but this week was tight and we didn’t buy any.

Thanks in advance, since I usually forget my manners.

-Z
 
At the current time, you are always allowed to substitute in another penance.
 
Oh. Whoops. Thanks TheMC.

Is that only under the auspices of the NCCB, or is that true in Canada as well?
 
If you cannot absolutely abstain from meat, then I would say go ahead with an alternate penance like you mentioned with your computer games etc. Not all people choose to do the Friday abstinence outside of Lent, and it is good you are trying to stick with it.

Perhaps, besides some reading of the Bible or the Catechism as an example for about 15 to 30 minutes and reflecting on it. Perhaps consider something in addition with the corporal works of mercy like putting together a bag of food for a food drive, cleaning out your closet & donate clothes to charity. Also consider maybe going to Adoration, participate in a communal rosary, etc.
 
HerrZJA said:
Oh. Whoops. Thanks TheMC.

Is that only under the auspices of the NCCB, or is that true in Canada as well?
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You’re going to have to consult with your episcopal conference. In the US, we are allowed to substitute some other form of penance if we can’t abstain from meat.

A quick Google search shows the following:

“In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 1253, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 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 this day.”
 
How about PB&J since you have some bread? I do that often on Fridays when I’m not in the mood for fish. 👍
 
damooster said:
“In accordance with the prescriptions of canon 1253, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 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 this day.”
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“Can” is not “must”. The alternate penance is suggested but not required.

I love fish, so the Friday abstinence was never a sacrifice for me.

If you really want a penance, I would suggest sitting through an hour of Steve Wilkos or Morey Povich.
 
My priest had a good idea. He said, instead of giving up meat, why don’t you just give up sin?
 
Do you have any eggs or peanut butter? You don’t have to go with fish as long as you are abstaining from meat. Also canned tuna is pretty cheap.

God bless you in your commitment.
 
As it happens, and proving that god often works in mysterious ways, the first portion of my RESP came in today. Now I can afford to go down to the market and buy a nice piece of fish.

Having said that, Beeliner holds up a good point: I actually love seafood, so, for me, this is no real sacrifice. Maybe I’ll do what MissRose73 said, and clean out my closet for a bit. Nobody is doing adoration today, but my parish has a lovely way of the cross that I can reflect on.

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions. I feel that acts of penance are especially important for me, a sinner currently outside the graces of Christ and his Church.
 
I don’t understand why people are recommending fish to be eaten on a day of abstinence. Abstinence is about giving something up. So, on days of abstinence we, traditionally, give up meat. Abstinence is not about substituting one thing for another. We should give up meat (or something else) not simply swap fish for meat.
 
Fish has always been eaten on days of abstinence. It’s an appropriate thing to do. If someone wants to do something extra, that’s good too.
 
Tepeyac said:
Fish has always been eaten on days of abstinence. It’s an appropriate thing to do. If someone wants to do something extra, that’s good too.
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And equally appropriate, I’m sure you’d agree, on any other day.
 
Tepeyac said:
Fish has always been eaten on days of abstinence. It’s an appropriate thing to do. If someone wants to do something extra, that’s good too.
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Perhaps fish has been regularly eaten on Fridays but that is a rather sweeping statement especially as it isn’t backed up with any support. The Church has never taught that we should eat fish on Fridays, a common misconception. This also misses the point - abstinence means giving something up not substituting one food for another.
 
HerrZJA said:
Heya gang. I hope this is in the right spot.

I’ve been trying for a few weeks now to abstain from meat on Friday, and it works. This week, though, as it happens, the cupboards are pretty bare, and it’s difficult for me to invision making it through the day without any meat, since most of my canned goods are either baked beans (which my brother loves but I can’t stand) or soups I made myself with chicken stock.

My first question was whether or not that made it more acceptable to choose an alternate penance. My second question would be to whether or not giving up my computer (to which I am joined at the hip) and my Nintendo DS for the day, and focusing instead on reading my bible, doing physical activities, or reading other books (or doing other, more intellectually-sound hobbies) would be an acceptable alternative.

I normally don’t look for loopholes, but all I really have are two jar/cans of chicken noodle soup, the baked beans, a box of Apple Cinnamon Cherios, a loaf of bread, and some pork chops. I normally keep fish in the house, but this week was tight and we didn’t buy any.

Thanks in advance, since I usually forget my manners.

-Z
Click to expand...
Your profile says you are not yet baptised. That means you are not under any obligation yet, although it is certainly good to practice already in anticipation.
 
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