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JohnnyReb
Guest
I was told Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays. Is this true? What are any other dietary restrictions Catholics have? Where does the tradition of not eating meat on Fridays come from?
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jmcrae
Guest
This is true.
We also fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. “Fasting” in this case is not a total fast, but rather, a reduction in the amount of food eaten (not more than one full meal over the course of the whole day, and at least one meal omitted completely; in practice, most people have a very small breakfast, skip lunch, and eat a very small dinner, with no snacks during the day.) We also abstain from meat on these two days, as well.
In addition, we also fast totally from all food and all drink except water for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. (Medications are also permitted.)
It comes from a desire on the part of the Church as a whole to join with Christ in His suffering on the Cross and to experience something of the sacrifice that He made on our behalf.
Since Jesus gave up His flesh for us on the Cross to die for our sins, we also “give up our flesh” (that is, the eating of meat - it’s kind of a bad pun, really) on Fridays as a very small way of joining with Christ on the Cross and reminding ourselves of what He did for us.
In some places, it is permitted to substitute a different kind of penance on Fridays (for example, extra prayers, or charitable actions) in place of giving up meat, on Fridays outside of the season of Lent.
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KathleenElsie
Guest
We as Catholics are to make a sacrifice on Fridays. When VatII said we could eat meat on Fridays many people only read the first part of the change. They forgot they were to give up something else that they enjoyed. It is up to us what we give up for Fridays.
Our family still gives up meat on Fridays and any other fast days. I also as an adult only eat two meals and no between meal snacks on those days. It is to remind us of the Sacrifice made by Jesus on the Cross.
So you see your answer is yes and no.
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jmcrae
Guest
And some have also missed the fact that it’s only Fridays outside of Lent that substitutions can be made.
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KathleenElsie
Guest
What you said is true. Many think that Lenten fast is an old fashioned and out dated practice. Yet it still stands as it always did.And some have also missed the fact that it’s only Fridays outside of Lent that substitutions can be made.
Fifteen years ago I gave up meat for Lent. Then I got sent out of town for work to a small town for a week and they had one place to eat. They also only had one fish meal on the menu. Well I sure got tired of that dish but the waitress knew what I would order and had it ready for me. LOL
That same year I made it to Mass every day of Lent. The little town did not have a Catholic Church the one 30 miles down the road did. But I made my Promise to God and I kept it. Easy no but well worth it. Both of my children returned to Holy Mother Church that year and now I have six wonderful Catholic grandchildren.
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Andruschak
Guest
Fasting and abstinance can be bypassed for good reasons, such as medical problems. You will get hundreds of opinions on this point. Mine opinion is…
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and neither fasting nor abstinance should be done in such a way as to damage the temple. Hunger pangs, yes, Tissue damage, no
Abstinance (no meat) is traditional for Friday. Fish, other seafood, dairy, and eggs OK. As part of a penance program, I abstain 4 days a week. This program also asks that I try to fast so as to eat two meals a day, no snacks inbetween. This I am doing, under my Physicians care and approval. Hunger pangs, yes. Tissue damage and other physical damage to my body, no.
Whilst abstinance is TRADITIONAL on Fridays, and many Catholics still do it, you have the option (outside of Lent) to substitute some other penance in place of abstinance. I prefer to keep it simple and just abstain every Friday, but that is just for me.
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JohnnyReb
Guest
Thanks for the answers. Personally I have had problems having the discipline to fast, but often this is because as far as I know Pentecostals are left to their own devices as to how/what/when to fast.
I could see the Catholic way as helping people develop self discipine to fast. How has it helped some of you?
I could see the Catholic way as helping people develop self discipine to fast. How has it helped some of you?
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Andruschak
Guest
I really do need some sort of outside motivation. I suppose most people don’t. In my case, the motivation was from the Confraternity of Penitents, giving me both guidelines and spiritual reasons for fasting and abstinance.
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Kathleen Elsie:What you said is true. Many think that Lenten fast is an old fashioned and out dated practice. Yet it still stands as it always did.
Fifteen years ago I gave up meat for Lent. Then I got sent out of town for work to a small town for a week and they had one place to eat. They also only had one fish meal on the menu. Well I sure got tired of that dish but the waitress knew what I would order and had it ready for me. LOL
That same year I made it to Mass every day of Lent. The little town did not have a Catholic Church the one 30 miles down the road did. But I made my Promise to God and I kept it. Easy no but well worth it. Both of my children returned to Holy Mother Church that year and now I have six wonderful Catholic grandchildren.
What an incredible testimony! I wish we heard more of these.
Praise the Lord!
YBIC, Michael
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lak611
Guest
Personally, I try to do something extra on Fridays, like prayer and Bible reading, because fish/seafood are my favourite foods, so abstinence is no sacrifice for me. I would have no problem with the old-fashioned abstinence during Lent, back when no meat was eaten on any day of Lent except Sunday because I love fish so much!
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Johny:
I knew of very few people who’ve had the self-discipline to fast and practice Christian lives on their own.
That’s what this does for me. When it’s Friday, I’m reminded of the Sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and that I don’t, and never can, deserve it. I’m also reminded that, in spite of my unworthiness, He did it anyway as I participate in the suffering and meditate on His Sacrifice.
Friday reminds me that there can be no GLORY without the CROSS. Sunday reminds me that the CROSS leads to GLORY, and that DEATH is overcome by LIFE.
Your Brother in Christ, Michael
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lak611
Guest
Michael, that is an excellent post! :clapping:
You said it very well.
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Lak611:Personally, I try to do something extra on Fridays, like prayer and Bible reading, because fish/seafood are my favourite foods, so abstinence is no sacrifice for me. I would have no problem with the old-fashioned abstinence during Lent, back when no meat was eaten on any day of Lent except Sunday because I love fish so much!
Have you thought of discussing a different Abstinence with your Spiritual Director - Like NO Animal Products at all, including fish?
That would be just for your LENTEN Discipline.
YBIC, Michael
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Traditional_Ang
Guest
Thank you.Michael, that is an excellent post! :clapping:
Michael
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lak611
Guest
My second favourite is vegan. I don’t even use regular milk at all. No lactose intolerance, I just prefer soy. I also eat a lot of tofu, Boca Burgers, etc., so I think extra prayer is probably a better route for me.
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Andruschak
Guest
Hmmmmmm…??? I thought Lent was Fasting on all days but Sunday, with Abstinance of Fridays. (And maybe Wednesdays)Personally, I try to do something extra on Fridays, like prayer and Bible reading, because fish/seafood are my favourite foods, so abstinence is no sacrifice for me. I would have no problem with the old-fashioned abstinence during Lent, back when no meat was eaten on any day of Lent except Sunday because I love fish so much!
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jmcrae
Guest
No, the present discipline is that we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only. The rest of Lent is up to you; you can choose any penance you want for the rest of the days of Lent outside of Fridays (which are mandatory abstinence from meat).
Lent is like a big long Friday outside of Lent; if you choose to do special prayers, or to give up something like chocolate or television, etc., it’s up to you.
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Andruschak
Guest
Thank you for the clarification. I’ll probably adhere to CFP guidelines and fast all days of Lent except Sundays anyhow. I need the discipline.
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jmcrae
Guest
I know the feeling. I’ll probably be doing the same thing.Thank you for the clarification. I’ll probably adhere to CFP guidelines and fast all days of Lent except Sundays anyhow. I need the discipline.
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Jaypeeto3
Guest
If I eat meat on Fridays, I find that I sometimes forget to do some other penance/good work instead.
So I’m going back to abstaining from meat on Fridays.
Just macaroni and cheese and vegetables for dinner on Friday.
Fasting is very hard for me to do on weekdays because I have an office job and can’t keep alert without my sweetened Lipton Tea with lemon flavor. ( I’ve almost completely given up coffee because I have a colitis-type condition, and coffee is very rough on my insides ).
On some Fridays previous to now, when I realized that I had forgotten to do a penance that day and it was late at night, I’d try to make up for it by going online and making a donation to a Catholic charity.
Jaypeeto3 (aka Jaypeeto4)
So I’m going back to abstaining from meat on Fridays.
Just macaroni and cheese and vegetables for dinner on Friday.
Fasting is very hard for me to do on weekdays because I have an office job and can’t keep alert without my sweetened Lipton Tea with lemon flavor. ( I’ve almost completely given up coffee because I have a colitis-type condition, and coffee is very rough on my insides ).
On some Fridays previous to now, when I realized that I had forgotten to do a penance that day and it was late at night, I’d try to make up for it by going online and making a donation to a Catholic charity.
Jaypeeto3 (aka Jaypeeto4)
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