Meat on Friday?

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hello friends,
Depends on what branch of Catholicism you’re talking about. The Catholics who adhere to Vatican II can eat meat during Lent, except for Ash Wednesday and all Fridays. The Catholics who believe that Vatican II was illegal because it changed long-standing traditions cannot eat meat until Sunday. They also do not eat meat on any Friday because that’s what was law before Vat2.

thanks

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[JW55]

Is it permissible for a catholic to eat meat on fridays? (not counting the firdays of Lent and ash wed)

I believe in lieu of meatless Fridays, the individual may perform an act of penace of their choosing. Unfortunately, most people would probably have you believe it is a free ticket on those days and the interpretation and obligation have been muddied. In many cases the meatless part and the act of penance probably go by the wayside. Very sad.

 

[jimrob]

In England and Wales, the rules were relaxed a few years ago so that individuals could choose whether to abstain from meat or perform some other act of penance on a Friday. The no meat rule was recently reintroduced because it seemed that people simply forgot about Friday penance.

In provinces where Friday abstinence is the rule, there are exceptions. We are expected to make an effort, but not to waste food. The rule was always that when you are travelling, you should eat whatever was presented to you - although these days even MacDonald’s has a no meat option.

I personally have always avoided meat on Fridays, but I don’t regard it as a penance. Now if the Church told me to give up fish, that would cause me a problem.

 

[thistle]

Is it permissible for a catholic to eat meat on fridays? (not counting the firdays of Lent and ash wed)

In most countries you may eat meat on Fridays outside Lent provided you perform some other act of penance. In some countries you must abstain from meat.

Your question, therefore, cannot be answered unless you specify the country. In the US, for example, you can choose your Friday penance.

 

[ivecomeback]

I personally have always avoided meat on Fridays, but I don’t regard it as a penance. Now if the Church told me to give up fish, that would cause me a problem.

One of my parents’ favorite quotes from ME as a child was when I said “I just love these fast and abstinence days” because those were the only days we had fish at our house. They realized I was missing the point…

 

[JRKH]

One of my parents’ favorite quotes from ME as a child was when I said “I just love these fast and abstinence days” because those were the only days we had fish at our house. They realized I was missing the point…

Truth be told…it’s kinda the same with me. I really don’t see the meatless Friday as being a problem, or even much of a sacrifice. That said, it IS, for me, a healthy discipline. It encourages me to think about the what and the why. This causes me to try to abstain from other things on Friday, like little snack treats during the day etc…

These are tiny sacrifices, but even these call to mind Christ for us.

Peace
James

 

[Sirach2]

One of my parents’ favorite quotes from ME as a child was when I said “I just love these fast and abstinence days” because those were the only days we had fish at our house. They realized I was missing the point…

I think that’s why the bishops relaxed the Friday abstinence, because for many of us, it is not “penance.” So many wonderful fish recipes in my collection have made it a great day for feasting. I am quite creative! And as one poster mentioned, just look at Red Lobster’s parking lot on Fridays. Festive dining, most certainly. Mmm-good. http://bestsmileys.com/dinning/1.gif

 

[JJRfan]

Is it permissible for a catholic to eat meat on fridays? (not counting the firdays of Lent and ash wed)

If you’re in England and Wales it is not permissible to eat meat on Fridays. Our bishops’ conference decided last year that the Friday penance was to be abstinence from meat. Those who can’t or don’t eat meat are to choose another food to abstain from.

 

[Ohana]

It is stated clearly, though.

When we read the bishops’ statement from 1966, I don’t see how it could be up for interpretation. It’s clear that every Friday remains a day of penance (excepting solemnities), but the penance need not necessarily be in the form of abstaining from meat.

Obviously, you do feel it is “up for interpretation.” Perhaps if you share why you see it that way, we can discuss it…

Interesting. As I said, i really missed this. I lived through Vatican 2 and loved most of the changes. We really were informed I think that fish on Firdays was no more. Maybe we just all missed that some penitential rite was still required on Fridays. I have continued dto “give up” things now and again, but that has just been a private thing. Now I will be more attentive to this. So thanks, Fr. David.

One of the problems I think has been the reinstitution of abstinence from meat on Fridays of Lent and the focus on fasting during lent, which we always did. I think that supported the idea that the Friday penitential during the rest of the year was relaxed. I hope the Bishops clarify this again.

by the way, one of the best things I ever gave up was “being right”. As you may have noticed from time to time, I like a good argument. Letting go of that was very beneficial to me and really something I had to focus on giving to the Lord.

 

[paperwight66]

If you’re in England and Wales it is not permissible to eat meat on Fridays. Our bishops’ conference decided last year that the Friday penance was to be abstinence from meat. Those who can’t or don’t eat meat are to choose another food to abstain from.

Always bearing in mind, of course, that they have made it clear that it is not a sin to eat meat in Fridays in itself. Failing to do penance is the sin. So, for instance, eating a meat meal at the in-laws cheerfully and gratefully is no sin, if the meat has been put before you out of ignorance of the rule, But some other penance should be done in that case.

See the Bishops’ website, the Q and A section following the press release.

 

[LemonAndLime]

unless you live in a diocese where abstinence from meat on all Fridays of the year is mandatory under pain of sin, you are fine eating meat outside Lent.

is it mandatory under pain of sin, or is it something the bishops of the UK have restored with a request for Catholics to return to the traditional discipline?

It’s mandatory, as of September last year on the anniversary of the Pope’s visit.

 

[paperwight66]

It’s mandatory, as of September last year on the anniversary of the Pope’s visit.

No, it’s not mandatory under the pain of sin, LemonandLime. Or rather, it’s more nuanced than that, As I said in an earlier post, the sin would be a refusal to do penance. Eating meat in itself is not a sin.

See this Q and A still available on the Bishops’ website . (you have to do a search, as it’s dropped off the list of press releases.).

'(quote) . Q11.
Are the Bishops placing a greater obligation on Catholics in England and Wales? Apart
from the exceptions above, will it be a ‘sin’ to eat meat on a Friday after the Bishops’ decision takes effect in September?

A.
The obligation on Catholics in England and Wales to do penance on a Friday will be the same after Friday 16 September 2011 as it was before that date.
The only change is that the Bishops have determined that the requirement by all the faithful to do penance on a Friday will be fulfilled by abstaining from meat.
When asked a similar question to this, the Holy See replied that the ‘gravity’ of the obligation applies to our intention to observe penance as a regular and necessary part of our spiritual lives as a whole.
Therefore, the ‘gravity’ of the obligation does not relate to observing the specific act of penance (abstaining from meat) prescribed by the Conference of Bishops. The ‘gravity’ of the obligation applies to the intention to do penance during the prescribed penitential days and seasons of the Church’s year. Failure to abstain from meat on a particular Friday then would not constitute a sin. (end quote).

 

[JJRfan]

Always bearing in mind, of course, that they have made it clear that it is not a sin to eat meat in Fridays in itself. Failing to do penance is the sin. So, for instance, eating a meat meal at the in-laws cheerfully and gratefully is no sin, if the meat has been put before you out of ignorance of the rule, But some other penance should be done in that case.

See the Bishops’ website, the Q and A section following the press release.

I did not say that the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have decreed that the failure to abstain from meat on Fridays is a sin. Therefore, the was no need for a correction to what I said. Yes, you are quite correct. It is the failure to do penance which is itself the sin rather than the failure to perform the penance by a particular means. If you read the Q&As it would not be a fault on your part to be the guest at a meal where meat is served but the Q&As also point out that you may advise your hosts in advance that it is part of your faith to abstain from meat on Fridays.

 

[paperwight66]

I did not say that the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have decreed that the failure to abstain from meat on Fridays is a sin. Therefore, the was no need for a correction to what I said. .

Your indignation is puzzling. I didn’t correct you. From where did you get that idea?

My post was in reply to LemonandLime (hence my saying ’ No, it’s not mandatory under pain of sin. LemonandLime’, oddly enough).

 

[thistle]

Friday penance is an obligation. Therefore its a sin of grave matter not to perform a penance.

Can. 1249** All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law**, each in his or her own way,** to do penance**. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

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.**

 

[JJRfan]

Your indignation is puzzling. I didn’t correct you. From where did you get that idea?

My post was in reply to LemonandLime (hence my saying ’ No, it’s not mandatory under pain of sin. LemonandLime’, oddly enough).

I’m not indignant. I just felt it was OTT to correct my post as well as your separate response to LemonandLime. My earlier post was just to point out that in E&W our Friday penance is abstinence from meat but didn’t state it was sinful to eat meat. Anyway we digress as I believe this thread’s about the Friday penance in US.

 

[paperwight66]

If you’re in England and Wales it is not permissible to eat meat on Fridays. Our bishops’ conference decided last year that the Friday penance was to be abstinence from meat. Those who can’t or don’t eat meat are to choose another food to abstain from.

Ah, I’m with you now. It was this post of yours that I was adding to. I was pointing out that the bishops had not said that ‘eating meat was not permissable on Fridays’. There are exceptions to be made, the greatest of which being not to offend against charity when a meal is lovingly provided. and, of course, the example given by yourself of those who don’t eat meat anyway.

So it is more accurate to say that the bishops have decided that IN MOST CASES it is not permissable.

It was the blanket nature of your summary of the bishops’ statement to which I was referring and objecting. It is not a one-size-fits-all, even for those who normally eat meat. Penance is the point, not the meat.

 

[dochawk]

Just for the joy of throwing a wrench in this . . .

Tomorrow (Friday the 6th), Eastern Catholics do not abstain (at least those on the new/Gregorian calendar).

Tomorrow is Theophany, celebrating Christ’s baptism in the Jordan.

However, the eve of Theophany (today) is a day of abstinence or fasting (I think it varies by jurisdiction).

While I’m at it, during Bright Week (The week after Pascha/Eastern), fasting and abstinence, including Friday, is not merely not requiring, but fasting is actually prohibited.

Now I’m off to our vigil Liturgy (we’re not big enough to have both, so Father chooses between vigil and the day itself by which more could make . . .)

hawk

 

[DeaconsSon87]

Whatever you observe today, it’s during the Christmas season…my understanding was we’re exempt from the obligation to abstain or do something else during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

 

[Cristiano]

Just for the joy of throwing a wrench in this . . .

Tomorrow (Friday the 6th), Eastern Catholics do not abstain (at least those on the new/Gregorian calendar).

Tomorrow is Theophany, celebrating Christ’s baptism in the Jordan.

However, the eve of Theophany (today) is a day of abstinence or fasting (I think it varies by jurisdiction).

While I’m at it, during Bright Week (The week after Pascha/Eastern), fasting and abstinence, including Friday, is not merely not requiring, but fasting is actually prohibited.

Now I’m off to our vigil Liturgy (we’re not big enough to have both, so Father chooses between vigil and the day itself by which more could make . . .)

hawk

Whatever you observe today, it’s during the Christmas season…my understanding was we’re exempt from the obligation to abstain or do something else during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

We already have a thread on this topic.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=626652