How to Fast on Fridays if you're a Vegetarian?

[Rejoice_Always]

Vegetarians don’t eat fish or seafood either.
That would be pescatarians (sp?), people who eat seafood but no meat.

Then be a tofutarian!

 

[akela135]

As a vegeterian myself I can tell you how I handle Friday’s. I don’t know if you ever eat fake meat, like black bean burgers or all veggie and soy burgers, but I sometimes do. I make sure to never eat these items on Friday. While they are technically not meat and okay to eat, since they resemble meat in the sense they try to mimick flavor and texture of meat I feel they break the spirit of things. “Oh, I can’t eat meat on Friday? I’ll just eat this thing that tastes and looks just like meat but isn’t then.”

However as others have pointed out it is okay to just refrain from eating meat on Friday, in which case you have nothing to worry about.

Also I’m sure you have reasons to be a vegeterian that have nothing to do with being Catholic, but I view giving up meat on any day as a chance to be a sacrifice or a penance. In which case as a vegeterian you engage in the normal Friday penance 7 days a week instead of the requested 1.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Here is the definition of fasting from the CCC glossary on the USCCB site.

FASTING: Refraining from food and drink as an expression of interior penance, in imitation of the fast of Jesus for forty days in the desert. Fasting is an ascetical practice recommended in Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers; it is sometimes prescribed by a precept of the Church, especially during the liturgical season of Lent (538, 1434, 2043).

This is from an article on CNA by Bishop Jaime Soto.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE (self-denial). To foster the spirit of penance and of reparation for sin, to encourage self-denial, and to guide us in the footsteps of Jesus, Church law requires the observance of fast and abstinence (CCC 1249-1253).

1. Abstinence: All persons who have already celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

1. Fasting: Everyone, from the celebration of their 18th birthday to their 59th birthday, is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Voluntary fasting on other weekdays of Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, is highly recommended. Fasting is generally understood to mean eating one full meal each day. Two other partial meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken; but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.

Other forms of “fasting,” especially regarding alcoholic drink, needless television, video games, Internet use and social entertainment, is of true spiritual value and is strongly encouraged. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, neither the law of fasting nor the law of abstinence obliges. If in doubt, one’s parish priest or confessor may be consulted.

As others have said, in the US, you are not bound to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent, but you *must *do some form of penance. That can be skipping a meal, giving up a favorite food or TV show, visiting the nursing home, etc. It should be something you notice but doesn’t have to be drastic - after all, giving up meat on one day is not an overwhelming hardship for folks with an ordinary diet.

If you have more questions or concerns about what you choose, ask your priest.

 

[ConstantineTG]

CTG,

I think our lives should be informed by tradition, but we need to acknowledge that there are interpretations that are binding and those that deserve our attention but are non-binding today.

This is not the first time you have argued against the Church’s laws with the writings of the Church Fathers. I am sympathetic to your arguments, but you can’t hold the writings of the CF as laws over our heads, as wise and correct as they are. Believe me, sometimes I could you could but it isn’t so.

If our interpretation today is different from the interpretation the Church has in the 4th century AD, then there is something wrong with our interpretation today. All interpretation should be in light of tradition. To depart from tradition is to depart from what Christ has handed down to the Apostles and passed on.

 

[Rich_C]

If our interpretation today is different from the interpretation the Church has in the 4th century AD, then there is something wrong with our interpretation today. All interpretation should be in light of tradition. To depart from tradition is to depart from what Christ has handed down to the Apostles and passed on.

From your mouth to God’s ear, but we don’t make the rules. Why are you talking about this like you can change anything?

 

[DebChris]

By continuing to refrain from eating meat on Fridays. Nothing more is required.

tee

Fasting is a discipline and not a doctrine so neither an infallible nor a non-infallible teaching is required.

I agree that nothing more is required. By way of analogy, each of us is required by Canon Law to attend Sunday Mass. Many people attend Mass daily. By your vegetarian lifestyle, you abstain from meat not only on Friday, but everyday of the week. Nothing more is required.
While visiting, I did not ask the Trappist monks in Conyers what 4 days out of the year they do eat meat. A simple lifestyle in which meat is rarely if ever eaten is a discipline.
For a great portion of the year, I live in the Middle East in which Wednesday is exchanged for Friday as the day of abstinence. My prayer group gives a prayer intention for the Wednesday fast. This too is a discipline that some members follow. In fasting, we are asked to refrain from snacks and to have only one full size meal. A person who chooses to eat only bread and water on Friday has chosen to fast. Many years ago, I knew a nun who once a month would take a loaf of bread and water and retreat into solitude for the day.

 

[thistle]

If our interpretation today is different from the interpretation the Church has in the 4th century AD, then there is something wrong with our interpretation today. All interpretation should be in light of tradition. To depart from tradition is to depart from what Christ has handed down to the Apostles and passed on.

You don’t seem to understand the difference between doctrine and discipline. Fasting has always been a discipline.

 

[ConstantineTG]

You don’t seem to understand the difference between doctrine and discipline. Fasting has always been a discipline.

Fasting is a basic tenet of our faith. It is a doctrine. How we fast is a discipline, but fasting itself is not a discipline. We are called to fast often. Its part of being Catholic.

 

[BertBlyleven]

In the east the term fasting embodies both fasting and abstinence as known in the west. Fasting from food and abstaining from stuff are both good and are good practices for Fridays, regardless of what is required (which isn’t much) and how it is termed. For example, since it is Friday one might abstain from arguing semantics regarding the term fasting. Then again, it is a first class feast today…

 

[tee_eff_em]

By way of analogy, each of us is required by Canon Law to attend Sunday Mass. Many people attend Mass daily.

:clapping:
Perfect analogy.

tee

 

[ConstantineTG]

I agree that nothing more is required. By way of analogy, each of us is required by Canon Law to attend Sunday Mass. Many people attend Mass daily. By your vegetarian lifestyle, you abstain from meat not only on Friday, but everyday of the week. Nothing more is required.
While visiting, I did not ask the Trappist monks in Conyers what 4 days out of the year they do eat meat. A simple lifestyle in which meat is rarely if ever eaten is a discipline.
For a great portion of the year, I live in the Middle East in which Wednesday is exchanged for Friday as the day of abstinence. My prayer group gives a prayer intention for the Wednesday fast. This too is a discipline that some members follow. In fasting, we are asked to refrain from snacks and to have only one full size meal. A person who chooses to eat only bread and water on Friday has chosen to fast. Many years ago, I knew a nun who once a month would take a loaf of bread and water and retreat into solitude for the day.

It is sad that Christian life has been withered down to Canon Laws. This was never the practice of the Fathers of our faith. The canons in the early Church were meant to give direction, not the be-all, end-all of the faith.

 

[theyoungmonk]

What I do is abstain from Sweet things like desert as this is a major thing like meat is, I also abstain from eating outside of meal times. The best advice though is go to youre Spiritual Director/Confessor ,maybe with a sugestion or two, and ask him to decide, as it says in the document put out in England those who do not eat meat at all are required to perform another penance (as well as not starting to eat meat on a Friday) espeacilly one which is also food based.

 

[Daim3]

Hi Everyone,

Until a few days ago, I wasnt aware that fasting on Fridays was required (meat etc).
Now I am a vegetarian, I eat absolutely no meat as well as other things which require fasting, so then how does fasting apply to me an my diet, and how should I attempt doing it?

Please advise
Thanks

I’ve considered becoming vegetarian and have wondered the same thing. If I were to do so, it would be for reasons that have nothing to do with religion. The way I see it, if we are to practice some form of abstinence on Fridays, the fact that I do not eat meat every day of the year as my personal lifestyle choice does not fulfill the penitential intent of this practice.

So what to give up? Meat eaters can eat fish or tofu on days of abstinence and at least get some protein that way. Vegetarians’ protein sources are a little more limited so I might not give up tofu and instead maybe abstain from eating anything sweet and also from drinking anything other than water on a day of abstinence. Another option might be to skip a meal. Anything that feels like a real sacrifice that we can offer up to our Lord can work. I hope this helps!

 

[malphono]

This may sound absurd, but I suppose one could easily say that a voluntary vegetarian (much less a voluntary so-called “vegan”) should eat a piece of meat.

 

[Daim3]

This may sound absurd, but I suppose one could easily say that a voluntary vegetarian (much less a voluntary so-called “vegan”) should eat a piece of meat.

It’s funny you should say that because the same thing crossed my mind. But if a vegetarian does not eat meat because of some moral ideal, they shouldn’t necessarily have to compromise that in order to do penance (even though these sorts of “morals” are always secondary and subservient to “Morals”). Also, if someone hasn’t eaten meat for some time, doing so could feasibly make them feel not well.

Here’s something else I was wondering. I think meat has for a long time been considered good and substantial food at meals and I think fish was considered less so which maybe part of why not eating meat has been considered penitential. But I absolutely love fish and seafood and prefer it to meat just about any day. So, if it’s a treat for me, is it still an act of penance?

I suppose another way of looking at it is that not eating meat is like a rejection of “carnality” and of things of the flesh. Whereas, fish is acceptable because of it’s symbolic association with Christ and the Eucharist.

I do think it’s great that in this country we have the latitude also choose some other act of penitence or good work (such as an act of charity or the Stations of the Cross) in our weekly commemoration of the day of Our Lord’s crucifixion.

 

[Elizium23]

Acctualy the Code of Canon Law says that any act of penance can be substituted for abstaining from meat on Fridays.

It most certainly does not say that.
Code of Canon Law:

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each 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 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.

What Canon Law says is that the Episcopal Conferences can substitute other forms of penance, and the USCCB has exercised this option in the USA for Fridays outside of Lent. If you are not in the USA, you must abide by the laws quoted above, which require you to abstain from meat on all Fridays, unless your Episcopal Conference has decreed otherwise.

 

[Rich_C]

Right, so the Modern Catholic Dictionary, which is not an infallible document, trumps the homily of a man considered a Church Father in the East and a Doctor of the Church in the West and undoubtedly one of the greatest theologians in Church history.

If our interpretation today is different from the interpretation the Church has in the 4th century AD, then there is something wrong with our interpretation today. All interpretation should be in light of tradition. To depart from tradition is to depart from what Christ has handed down to the Apostles and passed on.

Thank you for wording it in a much better way. And you are right about obedience. We owe the disciplines our obedience until the Church says we can disregard it. The problem of some with things like Vatican II, they say “it’s not de fide anyway, I can pretend it does not exist.”

So you’re saying you disagree with the Church’s current definition of fasting but give your obedience to it anyway? That’s a respectable position.

 

[ConstantineTG]

So you’re saying you disagree with the Church’s current definition of fasting but give your obedience to it anyway? That’s a respectable position.

I follow St. John Chrysostom’s teachings on fasting. I refer to his writings whenever I want to learn more about fasting, or just remind me the things I keep forgetting. I don’t think I’m going to hell for following St. John Chrysostom over the Modern Catholic Dictionary.

 

[Rich_C]

I follow St. John Chrysostom’s teachings on fasting. I refer to his writings whenever I want to learn more about fasting, or just remind me the things I keep forgetting. I don’t think I’m going to hell for following St. John Chrysostom over the Modern Catholic Dictionary.

I think in this case, the Modern Catholic Dictionary is just restating facts about Church teaching from authoritative sources, so we’re really talking St. John versus current Church rules.