Is one allowed to eat shrimp on the Lent?

[SMHW]

Order a salad.

And that is what I would do (if I was at a restaurant.)

But it wouldn’t work for my husband who does not eat salad, pasta, or cheese. (He does eat fish.)

I think people ask about shrimp, lobster, and other shellfish, not just because of the price but also, because they just don’t view it as being in the same category as fish. The dietary restrictions for days of abstinence are not based on our modern understanding of species classification but on much older understandings of what is and what is not “carne”.

 

[SMHW]

A gnawing question answered: It’s a capybara roaming Paso Robles

Fortunately (in spite of what some of us may have learned as children) we don’t have to fast from humor during Lent!

 

[VivienneJ]

Bargaining with God?
…
This is a sad statement on religion in life. I don’t mean to criticize any one in particular, but I am observing this phenomenon every year and it is sad.

Gosh, how did all that come from asking if it is acceptable to eat shrimp at a time of penitential fasting from meat. To some shrimp is a luxury and somehow seems at odds with a fast.

I lived in a muslim country for a year and witnessed the spectacle of fasting during Ramadad.

No one touches food from sunrise until after sunset. No food, no drink, not a drop of water. Children, adults, seniors. No one. No food. No drink. The topic of food does not come up. No one complains about how hard it is. No one talks about what they will eat at dusk. They just smile.

So did you go into a supermarket during Ramadan and note the huge, overflowing trolleys of food being bought during the afternoon; or try to teach the children who were exhausted from lack of sleep since dinner takes a couple of hours after sunset and the household wakes a couple of hours before dawn to eat breakfast; or speak to medical personnel who note huge gains in weight for most during this fasting month; or see people sitting at the tables in fast food eateries with their food in front of them, just waiting for the call that indicates it is sunset and the day’s fast is over? (Also, the fasting during Ramadan does not apply to children under 9.)

I hardly think extolling the supposed virtues of the Ramadan fast is a reasonable response to asking if it is permissible to eat shrimp on Fridays in Lent.

 

[GEddie]

Gosh, how did all that come from asking if it is acceptable to eat shrimp at a time of penitential fasting from meat. To some shrimp is a luxury and somehow seems at odds with a fast.

So did you go into a supermarket during Ramadan and note the huge, overflowing trolleys of food being bought during the afternoon; or try to teach the children who were exhausted from lack of sleep since dinner takes a couple of hours after sunset and the household wakes a couple of hours before dawn to eat breakfast; or speak to medical personnel who note huge gains in weight for most during this fasting month; or see people sitting at the tables in fast food eateries with their food in front of them, just waiting for the call that indicates it is sunset and the day’s fast is over? (Also, the fasting during Ramadan does not apply to children under 9.)

I hardly think extolling the supposed virtues of the Ramadan fast is a reasonable response to asking if it is permissible to eat shrimp on Fridays in Lent.

Although I have been to a Muslim region (the West Bank) it was not Ramadan, and so I don’t know how they do it.

I’d imagine that dehydration is a more serious issue than food in a Mideastern climate.

But while questioning about rules might not be part of the Muslim culture, it is definitely part of ours, going back to Judaism. Even our LORD got caught up in it

ICXC NIKA

 

[Zekariya]

Even in the Byzantine Eastern Catholic Churches where we fast from all meat products (dairy and eggs included) and fish during Lent, we are always allowed shrimp and other crustaceans (even on the strictest days).

 

[VivienneJ]

Although I have been to a Muslim region (the West Bank) it was not Ramadan, and so I don’t know how they do it.

I’d imagine that dehydration is a more serious issue than food in a Mideastern climate.

But while questioning about rules might not be part of the Muslim culture, it is definitely part of ours, going back to Judaism. Even our LORD got caught up in it

ICXC NIKA

Believe me you don’t want to be on the roads between 3 and 5 pm when the tired, hungry, dehydrated, desperate-for-a-cigarette workers are making their way home. They may not question (because nothing is allowed), but those who know you well enough will express their feelings.

 

[ajecphotos]

Does it state in the bible what one should do in lent regarding fasting and what food not to eat? Ta

 

[Zekariya]

Does it state in the bible what one should do in lent regarding fasting and what food not to eat? Ta

Lent is not mentioned in the Bible. What we fast during Lent is up to our Bishops and has changed over the centuries.

 

[ajecphotos]

Lent is not mentioned in the Bible. What we fast during Lent is up to our Bishops and has changed over the centuries.

So, it is not a command from god but a man made idea?

 

[GEddie]

So, it is not a command from god but a man made idea?

God speaking through His Church.

The Church is our LORD’s visible body; when you obey it you are obeying Him.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Joan_M]

Bargaining with God? No. We are not bargaining with God.

This disucssion takes place every year before the lenten season.
Everyone is concerned with how much they can eat and what they can get away with while they are fasting. What fasting? Excuse me, but what is being discussed is what should we abstain from (as in abstinence from meat), not fasting. They are different.

Most people in the world don’t see meat on their plate more than once a month, if that. But we in America are terrified at the thought of giving it up once a week?
And all those other circustances, excuses, reason that we come up with to break the fast. Any excuse that will allow up to bypass the whole fasting thing. No. Not looking for excuses. Trying to ensure that we do not eat what we shouldn’t.

This is embarrasing! **No. It’s not embarrassing. **Apparently you do not know the Church’s rules on both fast and abstinence. And, it is the Church that lays down this discipline.

If you have a serious medical condition, then you are excused. Otherwise, fast. So, you are undertaking to tell us what we should do? The Church says that people who are between 18 and 59 must fast in the manner that the Church requires. All Catholics fourteen years and older must abstain from meat on the days appointed.

I lived in a muslim country for a year and witnessed the spectacle of fasting during Ramadad.

No one touches food from sunrise until after sunset. No food, no drink, not a drop of water. Children, adults, seniors. No one. No food. No drink. The topic of food does not come up. No one complains about how hard it is. No one talks about what they will eat at dusk. They just smile. **But, have you seen how they eat after sunset? All they are doing is changing day in to night! **

But, the pious catholics are thinking up what high calory foods will replace the beef and pork they have to consume every day. **Catholics are trying to make sure that they do not eat what they should not. **

This is a sad statement on religion in life. I don’t mean to criticize any one in particular, but I am observing this phenomenon every year and it is sad.

No. You are just criticizing all Catholics. How charitable!!

 

[coachdennis]

Bargaining with God?

This disucssion takes place every year before the lenten season.
Everyone is concerned with how much they can eat and what they can get away with while they are fasting. What fasting?

Most people in the world don’t see meat on their plate more than once a month, if that. But we in America are terrified at the thought of giving it up once a week?
And all those other circustances, excuses, reason that we come up with to break the fast. Any excuse that will allow up to bypass the whole fasting thing.

This is embarrasing!
If you have a serious medical condition, then you are excused. Otherwise, fast.

I lived in a muslim country for a year and witnessed the spectacle of fasting during Ramadad.

No one touches food from sunrise until after sunset. No food, no drink, not a drop of water. Children, adults, seniors. No one. No food. No drink. The topic of food does not come up. No one complains about how hard it is. No one talks about what they will eat at dusk. They just smile.

But, the pious catholics are thinking up what high calory foods will replace the beef and pork they have to consume every day.

This is a sad statement on religion in life. I don’t mean to criticize any one in particular, but I am observing this phenomenon every year and it is sad.

Before you take my head off (virtually), I think that you need to take a “chill pill” and understand that while these examples among American Catholics do exist, for many of us – in our fifties and **cradle Catholics **-- we have seen first hand numerous examples of relatives and friends who have used Lent as an excuse to have a weekly lobster salad or shrimo scampi.

However, believe it or not we can “laugh” at these examples and not lose sight of the true meaning of fasting. We can joke at some of the excesses or “legalistic thinking” and understand, appreciate, and try to live the true meaning of Lenten fasting. We can laugh and smile at some of the excesses of “cultural Catholicism” and NOT lose sight of the tenets of the faith.

Despite the attitude expressed by some on this forum, cradle Catholics ARE capable of deep spritual levels of faith experiences.

I hope of you have a joyful and spiritual Lent. I intend to have one at well with the Eucharist, faith sharing in my parish, and… my macaroni and cheese

 

[maryjk]

Order a salad. This is what my muslim neighbor does during their fasting season.

If they are fasting, they should be ordering anything. Or at least that is what you said.
For us, we aren’t fasting unless it is Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, we are abstaining.

They also give thanks to God before every meal. They do is discreetly, so most of us don’t even notice, but they do not fail to thank God for his gifts.

As do I. Don’t you?

This is what people of faith do.
What about us?

Good question. Why don’t you give thanks for your meal?

 

[Zekariya]

God speaking through His Church.

The Church is our LORD’s visible body; when you obey it you are obeying Him.

ICXC NIKA

Agreed!

 

[SMHW]

So, it is not a command from god but a man made idea?

Jesus makes mention of the importance of fasting and prayer on several occasions in the New Testament. He also gave his apostles (the leaders of the Church) the authority to lead his Church and the Holy Spirit to guide the Church. Logic then leads us to understand that the Church can make rules for fasting and abstinence and does so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And we know from our Church history that fasting and abstinence have long been practices of the Church.

What comes from the Church is no mere “man made idea”. It has the authority of Christ behind it.

 

[Nickless]

Not allowed: Chicken, Fowl, Turkey, Pork, Beef, Lamb, Goat, Deer, Rabbit, Squirrels, etc.

Allowed: all kinds of seafood: fish, shellfish, mollusks, invertebrates, crabs, shrimps, lobsters, crayfish, etc. + cold blooded animals: reptiles, amphibians

Don’t forget to fast on Good Friday. 1 full meal max.

Good resources:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=746863
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/questions-and-answers-about-lent.cfm

Isn’t the one-meal max obligitory on all days of the Lent but Sundays?

 

[revert_jen]

There is nothing wrong with wanting to know the rules. It’s a good thing. Then, when you know what the rules are, you can decide what you want to do in addition. I never eat shellfish during Lent, because I absolutely can’t get it down at any time of year. Yuk! (sorry to shellfish lovers) So I avoid things like meat flavoring and gravies and so forth, because it means there are a lot of foods I like that I can’t eat (like vegetable soup with beef broth).

Does that mean I think people shouldn’t know that they are allowed? No! Just that I can find joy in giving up the extra. People can’t do that unless they know it is extra.

So maybe now I could get extra joy from voluntarily giving up capybara, in the unlikely event that I ever encounter it (which I hever have so far, even that time I was in South America for a couple of weeks, so it’s pretty unlikely I’ll see it now). But I’ll know it is something I choose to give up.

True knowledge of Church teaching, even down to the specifics of abstinence requirements, is bound to be good.

Tofu in all forms is penitential.

Amen. Sometimes I eat it during Lent just for that reason.

–Jen

 

[revert_jen]

Isn’t the one-meal max obligitory on all days of the Lent but Sundays?

Nope. Catholics are wimpy fasters. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only. With strong unofficial encouragement to continue on with the fast and abstinence through Holy Saturday until after the Vigil, at least among the people I know.

The requirements aren’t that big a deal. Abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent. Fasting on two days of the year. The fact that the requirements aren’t that big a deal should help us to choose to do more, out of love of God, on our own.

–Jen

 

[malphono]

Isn’t the one-meal max obligitory on all days of the Lent but Sundays?

Not any longer, at least not in the Latin Church. At one time, IIRC, the formula for fasting on the weekdays in Lent was 1 full meal + 2 smaller meals which together do not equal a full meal. But that formula was abrogated some 40+ years ago, along with the traditional rules of abstinence. As I understand it, the current discipline is that the rules of fasting and abstinence apply on 2 days only: Ash Wednesday & Good Friday.

In the Eastern & Oriental Churches, the rules remain, in general, a bit more strict. Just how strict depends on the particular Church.

 

[VivienneJ]

I don’t know about other parts of the world, but in Arabia we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat on all Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent, and on all other Wednesdays throughout the year.

In South Africa it is fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent (with some still choosing to abstain on Christmas Eve as well).