Rules of Fasting and Abstinence (1962 vs Current)

[rben20]

Fellow Catholics,

I have a question regarding no meat on Fridays for those knowledgeable with the 1962 calendar.

Old prayer books (Pre-Vatican II) state that knowingly eating meat on Fridays is a sin. I know the Church has since changed its position saying this requirement is no longer required but still recommends it as a pious act with the only requirement being during Lent.

My question…is it still considered a sin to knowingly eat meat on Fridays and Ember days if you follow the 1962 calendar? According to the new calendar, this would not be a sin. The only time both calendars are in agreement would be the time of Lent which we should know, knowingly eating meat on Fridays during Lent is sinful.

This two calendar, two forms of the same rite confuses me.

 

[IOGD]

In Summorum Pontificum, Benedict XVI states that the modern day norms are to be followed in regards to fasting and abstinence even if following the 1962 Calendar and EF Mass. Of course, one could always follow those rules, myself included, but it would not be at the pain of sin except where the regulations are the same. Hopefully that’s helpful!

 

[Lugubrious_DBB]

The only practices regarding fasting and abstinence that are obligatory and binding under pain of sin upon the faithful are those found in the current Code of Canon Law (1983 CIC). Many traditionalists choose, as a pious practice, to continue to practice the pre-1966 fasting and abstinence discipline, but they are not required to do so.

As a means of reference, here is a comparison of the current and traditional disciplines:

Current (as per the 1983 CIC, adapted for the United States by the U.S. bishops)

• Days of Fast and Abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
• Days of Abstinence: All Fridays of Lent
• Days of Penance: All days of Lent and Fridays throughout the year, excluding Fridays upon which a solemnity happens to fall (see below)

Traditional:

• Days of Complete Abstinence: All Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and the Vigil of Christmas (may be anticipated on December 23)
• Days of Partial Abstinence: All the weekdays of Lent, Ember Days of Wednesday and Saturday, and the Vigils of Pentecost and the Assumption
• Abstinence from meat is not obligatory on Holy Days of Obligation
• Days of Fast: All the weekdays of Lent, Ember Days, and the Vigils of Christmas (may be anticipated on December 23), Pentecost, and the Assumption.

Complete abstinence means no meat at all, while partial abstinence means that meat may be consumed at one meal, traditionally the principal meal of the day.

Solemnities that displace the obligation to abstain/do penance under the current practice:

• January 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
• January 6: Epiphany (permanently transferred to Sunday in the U.S.)
• March 19: St. Joseph
• March 25: Annunciation
• June 24: Nativity of St. John the Baptist
• June 29: Ss. Peter and Paul
• August 15: Assumption
• November 1: All Saints
• December 8: Immaculate Conception
• December 25: Christmas

 

[twf]

The only practices regarding fasting and abstinence that are obligatory and binding under pain of sin upon the faithful are those found in the current Code of Canon Law (1983 CIC). Many traditionalists choose, as a pious practice, to continue to practice the pre-1966 fasting and abstinence discipline, but they are not required to do so.

As a means of reference, here is a comparison of the current and traditional disciplines:

Current (as per the 1983 CIC, adapted for the United States by the U.S. bishops)

• Days of Fast and Abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
• Days of Abstinence: All Fridays of Lent
• Days of Penance: All days of Lent and Fridays throughout the year, excluding Fridays upon which a solemnity happens to fall (see below)

Traditional:

• Days of Complete Abstinence: All Fridays of the year, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and the Vigil of Christmas (may be anticipated on December 23)
• Days of Partial Abstinence: All the weekdays of Lent, Ember Days of Wednesday and Saturday, and the Vigils of Pentecost and the Assumption
• Abstinence from meat is not obligatory on Holy Days of Obligation
• Days of Fast: All the weekdays of Lent, Ember Days, and the Vigils of Christmas (may be anticipated on December 23), Pentecost, and the Assumption.

Complete abstinence means no meat at all, while partial abstinence means that meat may be consumed at one meal, traditionally the principal meal of the day.

Solemnities that displace the obligation to abstain/do penance under the current practice:

• January 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
• January 6: Epiphany (permanently transferred to Sunday in the U.S.)
• March 19: St. Joseph
• March 25: Annunciation
• June 24: Nativity of St. John the Baptist
• June 29: Ss. Peter and Paul
• August 15: Assumption
• November 1: All Saints
• December 8: Immaculate Conception
• December 25: Christmas

Would not today, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also supersede Friday abstinence?

As an aside, I have relatives who converted to Eastern Orthodoxy (from Protestantism). Their current fasting practices make the “traditional” pre-1966 practices look like a walk in the park… try abstaining from all meat, fish, wine, and oil every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year…and the same during four fasting periods over the course of the year sometimes for week at a time.

 

[OraLabora]

Would not today, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also supersede Friday abstinence?

As an aside, I have relatives who converted to Eastern Orthodoxy (from Protestantism). Their current fasting practices make the “traditional” pre-1966 practices look like a walk in the park… try abstaining from all meat, fish, wine, and oil every Wednesday and Friday throughout the year…and the same during four fasting periods over the course of the year sometimes for week at a time.

And then there’s Ramadan, no food or drink, including water from sunup to sundown, for a month. I had some Muslim colleagues and last year was particularly tough on them, as Ramada (which follows a lunar calendar) fell in June, the month with the longest period if daylight, and often quite hot as well.

I know they tend to have feasts in the evening to compensate, but no water from about 4:30 AM to about 9:30 PM I would find awfully tough…

 

[Catholic1954]

Fellow Catholics,

I have a question regarding no meat on Fridays for those knowledgeable with the 1962 calendar.

Old prayer books (Pre-Vatican II) state that knowingly eating meat on Fridays is a sin. I know the Church has since changed its position saying this requirement is no longer required but still recommends it as a pious act with the only requirement being during Lent.

My question…is it still considered a sin to knowingly eat meat on Fridays and Ember days if you follow the 1962 calendar? According to the new calendar, this would not be a sin. The only time both calendars are in agreement would be the time of Lent which we should know, knowingly eating meat on Fridays during Lent is sinful.

This two calendar, two forms of the same rite confuses me.

The 1962 calendar no longer applies; you should be following the new calendar with it’s updated rules. We are allowed to eat meat on Fridays as long as we substitute some other form of penance, except for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent when no meat is allowed.

 

[twf]

And then there’s Ramadan, no food or drink, including water from sunup to sundown, for a month. I had some Muslim colleagues and last year was particularly tough on them, as Ramada (which follows a lunar calendar) fell in June, the month with the longest period if daylight, and often quite hot as well.

I know they tend to have feasts in the evening to compensate, but no water from about 4:30 AM to about 9:30 PM I would find awfully tough…

I forgot to add dairy to that list… I know during Lent and the other fasting “seasons”, our Eastern brethren abstain even on Sundays, so they don’t get the same “break” we do. If cheese and fish are out, my Friday staples would disappear.
Yes, Ramadan is tough. Unhealthy even if not done carefully.

 

[twf]

The 1962 calendar no longer applies; you should be following the new calendar with it’s updated rules. We are allowed to eat meat on Fridays as long as we substitute some other form of penance, except for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent when no meat is allowed.

Of course with the stipulation, which should always be spelled out (as a significant minority of posters are not Americans), that specific rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. One should check with one’s local diocese / bishops’ conference. In Canada, for example, abstinence from meat is NOT binding on the Fridays of Lent (other than Good Friday itself). Of course, abstinence is still encouraged on all Fridays.

 

[Catholic4Christ]

Would not today, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also supersede Friday abstinence?

This one may be a “spirit of the law” issue. While Sacred Heart Friday was a First Class celebration by the 1962 liturgically, it was not considered a Solemnity. For comparison, Ash Wednesday was a First Class celebration, but still a day of fasting/abstinence. Nowadays we do not distinguish liturgical rank based on First/Second/Third Class, but back in the day Sacred Heart was of the highest liturgical rank (other feasts don’t supersede it) but NOT a non-abstinence day (Solemnity). I would imagine this is because the whole point of the feast is reparation. Nowadays it’s just a Solemnity, so I would imagine that by the modern rules you can technically skip the abstinence (unless there’s some rule I don’t know about), but this wouldn’t really fit the spirit of the observance I think.

 

[Barb3]

Why would you want to eat meat on Friday – fish is better for you – I havent eaten meat on Friday for many years and I’m very OLD!!!

 

[OraLabora]

Why would you want to eat meat on Friday – fish is better for you – I haven[t eaten meat on Friday for many years and I’m very OLD!!!

I have type II diabetes that I am trying to keep in check with a more Mediterranean-style diet and tons of exercise (mostly cycling this time of the year, did an 80 km ride today). We typically only eat meat a couple of times a week and our portions are much smaller than they used to be. Tonight though, we had sausage and pasta with meat in the sauce. But as TWF pointed out it isn’t required to abstain from meat in Canada on Fridays, even in Lent except Good Friday.

I don’t think (health-wise) it matters whether you eat fish on Fridays or other days, as long as one eats less meat. We do also eat chicken at least once a week (NOT deep fried! Usually marinated and grilled skinless).

I still do the “Friday penance” thing though. Since I’m retired but my wife still works, that usually is vacuuming and cleaning the bathrooms.
[/quote]

 

[Lugubrious_DBB]

Would not today, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also supersede Friday abstinence?

Thank you; I forgot about the movable solemnities.

Added to the earlier list for the current practice should be:

• Friday within the Octave of Easter
• Sacred Heart of Jesus (Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost)

 

[rben20]

Got my answer within the first two responses. Thank you all so much!

 

[JOL]

Fellow Catholics,

I have a question regarding no meat on Fridays for those knowledgeable with the 1962 calendar.

Old prayer books (Pre-Vatican II) state that knowingly eating meat on Fridays is a sin. I know the Church has since changed its position saying this requirement is no longer required but still recommends it as a pious act with the only requirement being during Lent.

My question…is it still considered a sin to knowingly eat meat on Fridays and Ember days if you follow the 1962 calendar? According to the new calendar, this would not be a sin. The only time both calendars are in agreement would be the time of Lent which we should know, knowingly eating meat on Fridays during Lent is sinful.

This two calendar, two forms of the same rite confuses me.

This is a perfect thread, I think, for me to ask my question. What is the purpose of fasting from meat on Fridays in Lent? A Fast is supposed to be a sacrifice, right? If we don’t care to not eat meat, is it truly a Fast? What if I were a vegetarian or vegan? As it stands, I am neither, but am completely happy to have cheese pizza or grilled cheese, or many other meatless dishes. In fact, Friday is usually Pizza night all year anyway, so this just highlights to me that not eating meat is not a Fast/Sacrifice for me. It really becomes a matter of obedience only, to the Church. Is obedience the sole point then?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

This is a perfect thread, I think, for me to ask my question. What is the purpose of fasting from meat on Fridays in Lent? A Fast is supposed to be a sacrifice, right? If we don’t care to not eat meat, is it truly a Fast? What if I were a vegetarian or vegan? As it stands, I am neither, but am completely happy to have cheese pizza or grilled cheese, or many other meatless dishes. In fact, Friday is usually Pizza night all year anyway, so this just highlights to me that not eating meat is not a Fast/Sacrifice for me. It really becomes a matter of obedience only, to the Church. Is obedience the sole point then?

I believe sacrifice and penitential self-denial are the points. But as things stand, a cheeseburger will send you to Hell, but lobster is “heavenly” (as a tongue-in-cheek theology professor once stated). Go figure.

 

[LaetenturCaeli]

Go figure.

Some people are willing to go to hell over a cheeseburger. Go figure, indeed.

 

[dans0622]

This is a perfect thread, I think, for me to ask my question. What is the purpose of fasting from meat on Fridays in Lent? A Fast is supposed to be a sacrifice, right? If we don’t care to not eat meat, is it truly a Fast? What if I were a vegetarian or vegan? As it stands, I am neither, but am completely happy to have cheese pizza or grilled cheese, or many other meatless dishes. In fact, Friday is usually Pizza night all year anyway, so this just highlights to me that not eating meat is not a Fast/Sacrifice for me. It really becomes a matter of obedience only, to the Church. Is obedience the sole point then?

Hello,

Abstinence does not have to entail sacrifice. Even in the “old days”, when abstinence included a lot more foods than just meat, people could have sufficient, tasty food. A traditional rationale included the idea (which, as far as I’m aware, is also backed up by modern research) that eating meat (among other foods) led to increased bodily passions (of a sexual nature). So, abstinence from these foods was a simple and beginning way to subdue the body and train it (see 1 Cor. 9:27).

Obedience is part of it. I’d say that mindfulness is also a point of abstinence. Throughout days of abstinence, you have to be aware of what day it is. You then have to be aware of the abstinence requirements and that you are recalling the passion of the Lord and abstaining, as easy as it may be, out of love for God.

Dan

 

[Phemie]

Of course with the stipulation, which should always be spelled out (as a significant minority of posters are not Americans), that specific rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. One should check with one’s local diocese / bishops’ conference. In Canada, for example, abstinence from meat is NOT binding on the Fridays of Lent (other than Good Friday itself). Of course, abstinence is still encouraged on all Fridays.

Except for, at least, the Archdiocese of Ottawa where Archbishop Prendergast has decreed that Fridays of Lent **ARE **days of abstinence from meat. I’m not sure if any other Bishop/Archbishop has followed his example.

 

[OraLabora]

Except for, at least, the Archdiocese of Ottawa where Archbishop Prendergast has decreed that Fridays of Lent **ARE **days of abstinence from meat. I’m not sure if any other Bishop/Archbishop has followed his example.

Not mine anyway (St. Hyacinthe).

 

[twf]

Except for, at least, the Archdiocese of Ottawa where Archbishop Prendergast has decreed that Fridays of Lent **ARE **days of abstinence from meat. I’m not sure if any other Bishop/Archbishop has followed his example.

Good to know. I wasn’t aware of that. I assume this is clearly communicated to the parishes in Ottawa? As a Canadian Catholic, I would typically assume I could check the CCCB website and trust what it says applies to me.
Vancouver deviates from the Canadian norms in some ways as well…we’re big kneelers here for example. We kneel throughout the Eucharistic Prayer and again after the Agnus Dei. We kneel when we return to the pew after receiving communion. In some parishes we kneel at the altar rail to receive for that matter. I always have to mentally adjust to the increased standing / decreased kneeling when I visit a neighbouring diocese.