I just read an article today in my local Catholic newspaper about keeping Friday a sorrowful and solemn day. Does this mean it’s wrong to look forward to and celebrate on Fridays?
I just read an article today in my local Catholic newspaper about keeping Friday a sorrowful and solemn day. Does this mean it’s wrong to look forward to and celebrate on Fridays?
From what I understand, Friday is a day that has a penitential character and we are all obligated to perform some act of penance every Friday (it used to be observed like Fridays in Lent are observed today), abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent and fast on Good Friday. The penance you do outside of Lent and Good Friday is up to you. You can abstain from meat if you like, but you can also do something extra (i.e., pray Morning and Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours if you normally don’t) or give something else up (i.e., meat, sweets, coffee, soda, etc. - pick your poison).
As to celebrations, there are many ways to look at it. In our culture, Fridays are usually enjoyed in the evening after the sun has gone down. Considering the Church considers Sunday having started at sundown Saturday evening (the reason Saturday vigil masses count as Sunday Masses), one can certainly look forward to and enjoy their Friday evenings. Just start your penance sundown on Thursday.
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