Friday penance

[jmjconder]

**The Friday penance is not a “rule” it is rather a choice for Catholics to unite themselves to the ultimate sacrifice…Jesus Crucified.

This question seems to be more about the “legal” aspect of the Catholic Church - rather than the “spiritual/inspired” aspect.

I do not do penence on Friday’s because I HAVE to - I do penence because i WANT to.

There is a very huge difference between these thoughts.**

 

[HNA444]

I have been giving up meat on Fridays for awhile now(or something else). What I find funny is that I can have vegie meals all week long and it doesnt bother me. But when Friday comes…for some reason all hamburgers sound SO good I crave them on Fridays Or fajitas And adding seafood really isnt a sacrifice for me at ALL.
But seriously, when I cant give up meat for whatever reason, I will give up something else, like reading or crocheting, or anything else find myself wanting to do. Or I sometimes will add a rosary or extra prayers to my nightime routine. SACRIFICE is the key.

Oh and what I find bothersome is that most Catholics I tell have no clue that there still is a Friday penance. Ive even argued with someone about how the Church has said we dont have to do it anymore…any kind of penance. And Im not commenting on how these people are poor Catholics either…some of these people are fantastic Catholics…far better than myself They just havent been taught

Ya, Fridays and probably saturday also, are more difficult to give up meat than during the other days Usually Fridays I like planning to go out to dinner, and when I go out to eat I eat chicken… so I guess it would be a sacrifice in a way. Also, the rosary is a good idea, I did that last week because I ate meat by accident. Thank you for your advice

 

[Nigel7]

Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

Correct.

On the Fridays outside of Lent the U.S. bishops conference obtained the permission of the Holy See for Catholics in the US to substitute a penitential, or even a charitable, practice of their own choosing. They must do some penitential/charitable practice on these Fridays.
For most people the easiest practice to consistently fulfill will be the traditional one, to abstain from meat…

catholic.org/clife/lent/abfast.php

 

[thistle]

Correct.

On the Fridays outside of Lent the U.S. bishops conference obtained the permission of the Holy See for Catholics in the US to substitute a penitential, or even a charitable, practice of their own choosing. They must do some penitential/charitable practice on these Fridays.
For most people the easiest practice to consistently fulfill will be the traditional one, to abstain from meat…

catholic.org/clife/lent/abfast.php

I agree. I try to abstain from meat but if I forget I do additional prayers.

 

[Booter]

ewtn.com/faith/lent/fast.htm

I knew I wasn’t crazy

“On the Fridays outside of Lent the U.S. bishops conference obtained the permission of the Holy See for Catholics in the US to substitute a penitential, or even a charitable, practice of their own choosing. Since this was not stated as binding under pain of sin, not to do so on a single occasion would not in itself be sinful. However, since penance is a divine command, the general refusal to do penance is certainly gravely sinful. For most people the easiest way to consistently fulfill this command is the traditional one, to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year which are not liturgical solemnities. When solemnities, such as the Annunciation, Assumption, All Saints etc. fall on a Friday, we neither abstain or fast.”

So the point it is probably easiest not to eat meat on any friday, but you can sub an act of charity of penance if you choose.

 

[Nigel7]

I agree. I try to abstain from meat but if I forget I do additional prayers.

Did better this week. I had veggie fried rice and veggie egg rolls for lunch, and then fish and potatoes for dinner.
Maybe will make a grilled cheese sandwich before bed tonight. Mmm yes, indeed.

 

[cat3gs]

Did better this week. I had veggie fried rice and veggie egg rolls for lunch, and then fish and potatoes for dinner.
Maybe will make a grilled cheese sandwich before bed tonight. Mmm yes, indeed.

My favorite Friday meal is homemade macaroni and cheese with picante sauce. Or I like to do breakfast for supper. Grits w/cheese, breakfast tacos, pancakes etc We do alot of baked potatoes too. You can put just about ANYTHING on a baked potato
My husband(not at Catholic) has finally come around and doesnt complain too much on Fridays anymore. I try to always have some leftovers for him
The hard part is making sure my teen kids remember the day

 

[Nigel7]

My favorite Friday meal is homemade macaroni and cheese with picante sauce. Or I like to do breakfast for supper. Grits w/cheese, breakfast tacos, pancakes etc We do alot of baked potatoes too. You can put just about ANYTHING on a baked potato

Sounds delicious.

While I do always have to go out of my way to avoid meat on Fridays, the dishes that I come up with in its place are always so yummy that they feel less like a penance and more like a tasty treat and welcome change of pace.

The really important thing though is remembering why I am avoiding meat, and being reminded all day long about the sacrifice that God Almighty made for us through his only begotten son Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.

Grilled cheese sammich with tomato and basil soup. Mmmmm