Holy Days of Obligation & Friday fasts?

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I just became Catholic at Mass last night and although I’m sure this was mentioned to me I never wrote down the days of Holy Obligation and could it be explained as to what a Catholic does if they don’t fast (outside of Lent) on Fridays. I can’t remember if it’s to do works of charity. (if so, could I get some examples) Also other obligatory fast days and what that entails. (just from meat or other)

Thank you,
mlz
 
Holy days of Obligation for the United States of America

January 01, - Mary Mother of God
Thursday of the Sixth Wekk of Easter - Solemnity of the Ascension
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nov, 1 - All Saints
Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception
Dec 25, - Nativity of Jesus Christ

Following solemnities are transferred or observed in a different day

Jan 6 - Ephipahny transferred to the first Sunday following Jan. 1
Second Sunday following Pentecost - Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

All Sunday are considered obligatory in nature.
 
FOr the United States of America,

Days of Fasting and Abstinence on are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Fasting every single Friday of Lent

Other works of penance

works of charity - volunteering at soup kitchen, that type of thing
works of prayer
forms of self denial other than meat
Add a spiritual practice - add lectio divina to day’s activity

Fasting you can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal that one full meal. No snacks in between.

Sorry for the multiple posts but this would not let me post a single post.
 
Greetings Splagchnizomai,

Ahhh yes, You are right. I was thinking abstinence but typed fasting. My apologies that sentence should read.

Abstience on every single Friday of Lent.

Thank you for pointing this mistake out.

God Bless,
Anathama Sit
 
The particular law for the US is that you must abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent. Additionally, you have the option of either abstaining from meat or doing pious works on all of the other Fridays of the year; you must do something, it is obligatory.
 
Anathama_Sit said:
Greetings Splagchnizomai,

Ahhh yes, You are right. I was thinking abstinence but typed fasting. My apologies that sentence should read.

Abstience on every single Friday of Lent.

Thank you for pointing this mistake out.

God Bless,
Anathama Sit
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You’re welcome, Anathama Sit!
YoungTradCath said:
The particular law for the US is that you must abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent. Additionally, you have the option of either abstaining from meat or doing pious works on all of the other Fridays of the year; you must do something, it is obligatory.
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I can recall just a short time ago when this was largely unknown (though in some circles, it sadly remains so). One calendar that I get year-in and year-out in my parish never had this, but now it states this obligation.
 
mlz said:
I just became Catholic at Mass last night and although I’m sure this was mentioned to me I never wrote down the days of Holy Obligation and could it be explained as to what a Catholic does if they don’t fast (outside of Lent) on Fridays. I can’t remember if it’s to do works of charity. (if so, could I get some examples) Also other obligatory fast days and what that entails. (just from meat or other)

Thank you,
mlz
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Just abstain on Fridays. It’s easy to remember, and it was the norm for hundreds and hundreds of years. It wasn’t broke, I don’t understand why it had to be fixed…

It’s not very difficult, really. I usually have muffins or donuts or sweet rolls for breakfast, so no change is needed on Fridays.

Lunch can be PBJ, tuna, cheese, or egg salad sandwiches.

Dinner: there are a surprising number of choices. Shrimp Scampi meets the letter of the law, but most possibly not the intent. So does lobster. And grilled salmon… There’s also vegetarian pizza. Round Table gourmet veggie pizza is really good, you won’t miss the sausage and pepperoni at all. We had creamed tuna on toast a lot when I was a kid, Tuna Helper bumped that, as it was easier. Cheese-filled ravioli are good. Macaroni and Cheese is another old Catholic standby.
 
Splagchnizomai said:
I can recall just a short time ago when this was largely unknown (though in some circles, it sadly remains so). One calendar that I get year-in and year-out in my parish never had this, but now it states this obligation.
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Yes. This is one thing that needs to be stressed from the pulpit much more. I just wish they’d bring back obligatory abstaining and call it a day, just catechize on the why a good bit more. Bam. No worries.
 
mlz said:
I just became Catholic at Mass last night and although I’m sure this was mentioned to me I never wrote down the days of Holy Obligation and could it be explained as to what a Catholic does if they don’t fast (outside of Lent) on Fridays. I can’t remember if it’s to do works of charity. (if so, could I get some examples) Also other obligatory fast days and what that entails. (just from meat or other)

Thank you,
mlz
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Welcome home and Congratulations on becoming Catholic, mlz.

:grouphug:

:flowers:

:blessyou:
 
Can we abstain from something else on Fridays? Dessert, favorite activities and so on?

And isn’t Ash Wednesday meatless? Or is it a fasting day?
 
Its a little tougher in the Eastern Rite. I am a Byzantine Catholic and we eat no meat at all on every Wednesday and Friday during Lent and Advent and on all Fridays during the year. On the first day of Lent, which for us starts on Monday before Ash Wednesday, we are not permitted meat, dairy or eggs in any way shape or form.That also includes no eggs in pasta and no margerine that includes milk or cream.The same goes for Good Friday and Christmas Eve. But in the old days my grandparents and some of my parents relatives ate no meat at all during the entire Lenten period and no dairy on Mon. Wed. or Fri…😦 Now that would be tough for me, but I can handle our rules a little easier. :). So count your blessings:D
 
Fridays, it is not hard for me to not eat meat on those days during Lent. I would have no problem if it was decreed in the USA to not eat any meat on all Fridays of the year. I am sure if Christmas Eve or Day fell on a Friday then the prohibition could be lifted for that.

For my personal health reasons, its best that I do not fast but better to have smaller meals spread through the day, and skip things like appetizers and/or desserts when going out to eat.
 
YoungTradCath said:
Me either.
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But my mother would have an issue as she does not like seafood. She would have to figure out other non meat alternatives like meatless pastas. She grew up when it was EVERY Friday no meat which meant in her house it was mainly fish for lunch and/or supper time, and she will not eat any seafood now but has no problems with others eating it around her.
 
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