Is Friday penance a regular practice?

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DoctorC

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During my confession, my priest told me that I should be doing Friday penance. Just so we’re clear on Friday penance, it’s like when you give something up for lent but instead of giving it up for a long period (as in lent), we just give something up for 1 day per week (on Friday). I’ve never heard of such a catholic practice. I was wondering if this is a “regular” or “normal” weekly practice or perhaps just more of a suggestion for me personally by my priest. Please tell me what any of you know regarding Friday penance. Thank you!!! 🙂
 
DoctorC said:
During my confession, my priest told me that I should be doing Friday penance. Just so we’re clear on Friday penance, it’s like when you give something up for lent but instead of giving it up for a long period (as in lent), we just give something up for 1 day per week (on Friday). I’ve never heard of such a catholic practice. I was wondering if this is a “regular” or “normal” weekly practice or perhaps just more of a suggestion for me personally by my priest. Please tell me what any of you know regarding Friday penance. Thank you!!! 🙂
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Some form of penance on Fridays is obligatory. In some countries you must abstain from eating meat while in others you may perform any kind of penance, of which abstaining from meat is one choice.
 
DoctorC said:
During my confession, my priest told me that I should be doing Friday penance. Just so we’re clear on Friday penance, it’s like when you give something up for lent but instead of giving it up for a long period (as in lent), we just give something up for 1 day per week (on Friday). I’ve never heard of such a catholic practice. I was wondering if this is a “regular” or “normal” weekly practice or perhaps just more of a suggestion for me personally by my priest. Please tell me what any of you know regarding Friday penance. Thank you!!! 🙂
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You aren’t alone, this was confusing to me too when I was converting. I knew that, in America at least, the practice of giving up meat every Friday was no longer obligatory; but it took a while before I found out that some form of penance was still required. I choose to continue to observe the tradition of meatless Fridays because it seems much less arbitrary than having to invent my own form of penance (and then possibly forgetting).
 
We give up meat on Fridays, but I like seafood so much that I give up chocolate as my real penance.

We had also been assigned Friday for some volunteer work we used to do; then we could have eaten meat on Fridays bit it took us so long to get into the habit that we didn’t want to get out of it.
 
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm
  1. Friday itself remains a special day of penitential observance throughout the year
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  1. Among the works of voluntary self-denial and personal penance which we especially commend to our people for the future observance of Friday, even though we hereby terminate the traditional law of abstinence binding under pain of sin
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  1. In summary, let it not be said that by this action, implementing the spirit of renewal coming out of the Council, we have abolished Friday, repudiated the holy traditions of our fathers, or diminished the insistence of the Church on the fact of sin and the need for penance.
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The quotes from JM3 are highly edited (not a criticism), I strongly recommend readers follow the link and read the bishops’ recommendations in full. Not only is abstinence from meat recommended (not required) but some sort of Friday penance is strongly recommended. Paragraph quoted in full:
  1. Friday should be in each week something of what Lent is in the entire year. For this reason we urge all to prepare for that weekly Easter that comes with each Sunday by freely making of every Friday a day of self-denial and mortification in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.
 
First, SECRETARY MONDAY, I am not confused & converting. I’m 48 & went to 12 years of catholic school. I don’t know why I was unaware of Friday penance…perhaps I forgot? I honestly don’t EVER remember being told about it, but now that I know, I can begin to incorporate it into my life & maker it a habit over time. My sincere thanks for all of your replys & valuable info!!! It was a great help to me! 👍
 
Carrying out a Friday penance is recommended, it is not obligatory. We are not committing sin, or breaking any Church rule if we don’t (unless the local Bishop’s Conference have decided that it is obligatory in locality). The Church urges us to do so, but does not compel us. We are free to choose whether or not we do a Friday penance (except in Lent when it is compulsory).
 
Brendan_64 said:
Carrying out a Friday penance is recommended, it is not obligatory.
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Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
 
JM3 said:
Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.
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It still isn’t entirely clear. Yes we are all bound to do penance, in our own way, and there are certain penitential days, but it still doesn’t make it clear whether we are all bound to do penance on all of those penitential days. It is divine law that we all do penance, but it does not state that it is divine law that we all do penance on all of the penitential days.

We are no longer bound “under pain of sin” to do any form of penance on Fridays, but we are urged to do so.

The US Bishops Conference has given clear guidance on this.

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

“25. 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.”

From the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Penance/Abstinence.pdf
  1. The form of penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. **Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. **However, penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord."
We are bound by divine law to do penance, but we are not bound to do penance on all of the penitential days identified by the Church. We are urged to do so, but not bound to do so. It is not sinful if we do not do so.
 
DoctorC said:
During my confession, my priest told me that I should be doing Friday penance. Just so we’re clear on Friday penance, it’s like when you give something up for lent but instead of giving it up for a long period (as in lent), we just give something up for 1 day per week (on Friday). I’ve never heard of such a catholic practice. I was wondering if this is a “regular” or “normal” weekly practice or perhaps just more of a suggestion for me personally by my priest. Please tell me what any of you know regarding Friday penance. Thank you!!! 🙂
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It goes back centuries. Many American Catholics of the Roman Rite are poorly catechized, and don’t realize it, but it is in fact church tradition and canon law.
 
Brendan_64 said:
It still isn’t entirely clear. Yes we are all bound to do penance, in our own way, and there are certain penitential days, but it still doesn’t make it clear whether we are all bound to do penance on all of those penitential days. It is divine law that we all do penance, but it does not state that it is divine law that we all do penance on all of the penitential days.

We are no longer bound “under pain of sin” to do any form of penance on Fridays, but we are urged to do so.

The US Bishops Conference has given clear guidance on this.

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

“25. 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.”

From the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Penance/Abstinence.pdf
  1. The form of penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. **Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. **However, penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord."
We are bound by divine law to do penance, but we are not bound to do penance on all of the penitential days identified by the Church. We are urged to do so, but not bound to do so. It is not sinful if we do not do so.
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How is it not “entirely clear”?

USCCB
  1. In summary, let it not be said that by this action, implementing the spirit of renewal coming out of the Council, we have abolished Friday, repudiated the holy traditions of our fathers, or diminished the insistence of the Church on the fact of sin and the need for penance.
Bishops Conference of England and Wales
  1. The form of penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. However, penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord."
  2. The new code of Canon Law reminds us that all of Christ’s faithful are obliged to do penance. The obligation arises in imitation of Christ himself and in response to his call. During his life on earth, not least at the beginning of his public ministry. Our Lord undertook voluntary penance. He invited his followers to do the same. The penance he invited would be a participation in his own suffering, an expression of inner conversion and a form of reparation for sin. It would be a personal sacrifice made out of love for God and our neighbour. It follows that if we are to be true, as Christians, to the spirit of Christ, we must practise some form of penance.
  3. So that all may be united with Christ and with one another in a common practice of penance, the Church sets aside certain penitential days. On these days the faithful are to devote themselves in a special way to prayer, self-denial and works of charity. Such days are not designed to confine or isolate penance but to intensify it in the life of the Christian right through the year.
Notice, it says “are to devote” and not “may devote”. Seems pretty clear to me,.
 
It is a practice of both East and West to do “penance” (usually consisting of fasting) on Friday (as well as Wednesday - I don’t know if that’s East specific or not).

In any regard, (this might be a very Eastern mentality) but the amount of compulsion you have towards attempting these penances/fasts/etc. is the amount of your love for God. The more you love God, the greater your compulsion to grow closer to Him should be. Additionally, the penalty for not doing these things is the lost opportunity of growth.
 
MorEphrem said:
It is a practice of both East and West to do “penance” (usually consisting of fasting) on Friday (as well as Wednesday - I don’t know if that’s East specific or not).
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It was once a universal practice of the Church to fast on both days. Here is the earliest writing about fasting on Friday (and Wednesday):

“But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day [Wednesday] and the Preparation (Friday).” - Didache VIII (c AD 90)
 
JM3 said:
How is it not “entirely clear”?
Notice, it says “are to devote” and not “may devote”. Seems pretty clear to me,.
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  1. The form of penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. **Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. **However, penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord."
That is very clear. It, quite categorically, is not a sin, if a person does not do penance on a Friday. It is not sinful, not to do so, therefore it cannot be divine law to do so. Unless of course, the breaking of divine law is not sinful.

“Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin.”

Would you like to explain how the above sentence actually means the opposite of what it states?

The bottom line is that Friday penance i something that we ought to do, but it is not sinful if you do not do Friday penance. Anyone who says otherwise is incorrect. The American Bishops have a remark about scrupulosity in their statement on the matter.

"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.”

Both the American Bishops Conference, and the Bishops Conference of England & Wales clearly state that it is not a sin if a person does not observe Friday penance.

If it is not sinful then it cannot be a breaking of divine law.
 
Brendan_64 said:
  1. The form of penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. **Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. **However, penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord."
That is very clear. It, quite categorically, is not a sin, if a person does not do penance on a Friday. It is not sinful, not to do so, therefore it cannot be divine law to do so. Unless of course, the breaking of divine law is not sinful.

“Failure to undertake this penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin.”

Would you like to explain how the above sentence actually means the opposite of what it states?

The bottom line is that Friday penance i something that we ought to do, but it is not sinful if you do not do Friday penance. Anyone who says otherwise is incorrect. The American Bishops have a remark about scrupulosity in their statement on the matter.

"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.”

Both the American Bishops Conference, and the Bishops Conference of England & Wales clearly state that it is not a sin if a person does not observe Friday penance.

If it is not sinful then it cannot be a breaking of divine law.
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Perhaps, you are reading into it what’s not there. You seem focused on “it would not constitute a sin” and thinking that this negates an obligation. What you fail to see is “on a particular Friday”. What is being said here is that if you forget, it is not a sin. It is not saying that if you choose to disobey the obligation, you do not sin.
 
JM3 said:
Perhaps, you are reading into it what’s not there. You seem focused on “it would not constitute a sin” and thinking that this negates an obligation. What you fail to see is “on a particular Friday”. What is being said here is that if you forget, it is not a sin. It is not saying that if you choose to disobey the obligation, you do not sin.
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Again you choose to ignore this statement “people are henceforth free from the obligation traditionally binding under pain of sin in what pertains to Friday abstinence”

It may still be an obligation, but it is not binding under pain of sin. Not by not carrying out this obligation we are not committing any sin, not even a venial sin (and to think that it is a sin of any kind is to be guilty of scrupulosity).

If it is not a sin to fail to carry out this obligation, then it cannot be a case of divine law, because to break divine law is a sin.
 
Brendan_64 said:
Again you choose to ignore this statement “people are henceforth free from the obligation traditionally binding under pain of sin in what pertains to Friday abstinence”

It may still be an obligation, but it is not binding under pain of sin. Not by not carrying out this obligation we are not committing any sin, not even a venial sin (and to think that it is a sin of any kind is to be guilty of scrupulosity).

If it is not a sin to fail to carry out this obligation, then it cannot be a case of divine law, because to break divine law is a sin.
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LOL

Nice way to take a sentence out of context.
even though we hereby terminate the traditional law of abstinence binding under pain of sin, as the sole prescribed means of observing Friday, we give first place to abstinence from flesh meat.
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Again, should you forget to do penance on Friday, it is not a sin. Should you choose to not do penance on Friday, it is a sin.
 
Praising Mithra used to be a universal practice of the church. Now the church has turned from it’s true roots and heritage, and worships false deities.
 
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