Was it right to substitute turkey for tuna on Ash Wednesday?

[NYGAL]

This Lent I decided to return to the practice of my Catholic faith and now have a question:

I know that Catholics are supposed to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wedenesday and every Friday through Easter Sunday, but my stomach was feeling a little off on Ash Wednesday and my planned lunch of a tuna salad was changed to a turkey sandwich at the last minute.

I feel guilty about this and am wondering if I can “get back on track” by avoiding meat every Friday starting with this week. Would this still be considered a valid observation of Lent?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

While it is true that those with medical conditions can eat meat on the days of abstinence, a mild stomachache does not appear to be just reason to have substituted turkey for tuna on Ash Wednesday. For the future, please consider looking into vegetarian options or removing the meat from the sandwich and eating the bread, cheese, vegetables, etc. You may not feel fully satisfied, but fasting is one of the required disciplines of Ash Wednesday.

Please don’t let this mistake discourage you though! You certainly can still observe a blessed and holy Lent. Another venerable tradition of Lent is confession, and if you have been away from the Church for some time, you’ll probably need to go to confession anyway. Mention this incident along with whatever other sins you need to confess in your confession, receive absolution, perform the assigned penance, and you’ll be “back on track.” God bless.