Why no meat on Fridays?

[PioMagnus]

Hello,

I would like assistance explaining why we don’t eat meat on Fridays. Is there any biblical support for this? It would help me alot.

Thank you.

In Him, through her,
PioMagnus

 

[metal1633]

PioMagnus:

Hello,

I would like assistance explaining why we don’t eat meat on Fridays. Is there any biblical support for this? It would help me alot.

Thank you.

In Him, through her,
PioMagnus

Its called “fasting”. And yes there is plenty of biblical support for fasting. Friday is chosen because this is the day on which our Lord died to atone for our sins. One should make fasting and prayer a part of their life and do so more than once a week. No meat on friday is a minimun. I know a man who has completed FIVE 40 day fasts and inbetween he fasts twice a week abstaining from more than just red meat. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.

 

[petra]

Is eating meat on Friday a mortal sin?

 

[zange]

petra:

Is eating meat on Friday a mortal sin?

In most cases, I think it is best to ask one’s confessor whether X is a sin, mortal or not. But I can’t think of any evidence that eating meat on ordinary Fridays is a mortal sin, even a venial sin.

But I would like to hear someone address the question of eating meat on “ordinary Fridays”. I just heard an ad on EWTV that “nothing has changed” on the obligation of Catholics to abstain from meat on ordinary Fridays. Can’t find any documentation on this. Can anybody clarify what the teachings of the Church (US Catholic Bishops) is on US Catholics and abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year?

 

[ND_Mike]

Eating meat on Fridays was never a mortal sin. Disobeying the Church by eating meat on Fridays was punishable by Mortal sin. The law of abstinence from meat is still binding unless your national bishops’ conference has changed this. In the US bishops have received permission from the Vatican to have other forms of penance substitutre for abstinence. However, friday IS still a day of penance.

Code of Canon Law:

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.

*1250 *The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

*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 o be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

*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 enure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the rue meaning of penance.

*1253 *The Episcopal Conference can determine more precisely the 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.

Hope this helps.*

 

[metal1633]

zange:

In most cases, I think it is best to ask one’s confessor whether X is a sin, mortal or not. But I can’t think of any evidence that eating meat on ordinary Fridays is a mortal sin, even a venial sin.

But I would like to hear someone address the question of eating meat on “ordinary Fridays”. I just heard an ad on EWTV that “nothing has changed” on the obligation of Catholics to abstain from meat on ordinary Fridays. Can’t find any documentation on this. Can anybody clarify what the teachings of the Church (US Catholic Bishops) is on US Catholics and abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year?

This from Father Echert at EWTN

All Catholics are obliged to do penance on EVERY Friday of the entire year, unless a particular Friday is some solemn Feast Day, as occasionally happens. The universal manner of accomplishing that penance is abstinance from meat; by indult for the United States, if an American chooses to replace that with some other penance, he has that right, but a failure to do some penance–abstinance or its substitute–is a sin. As to degree of sin, that may vary with knowledge and intention. Many Catholics are ignorant of the general requirement throughout the year, since it is rarely, if ever, taught and preached these days. However, once a Catholic knows, he is obliged, under pain of sin.

 

[zange]

ND Mike,

Thanks. The citations from canon law do help clear things up.

So, basically, for US Catholics, we are NOT required to abstain from meat on ordinary Fridays (the EWTN ad is quite misleading).
The US Catholic bishops have an exemption from the general requirement for us American Catholics. (I wonder how many other Catholics around the world have such an exemption?)

I understand we are encouraged to do so anyway, and/or to perform other acts of penance also. Indeed, I do try to abstrain from meat and other things on Fridays anyway.

But what did you mean by rebellion against the Church was “punishable by mortal sin”?

Metal1633, can you provide Church documentation for what Father Echert from EWTN said? (I’ve run into priests who say lots of things, sometimes correct, sometimes not) The add I saw led one to believe that “nothing had changed”, and the two fellows in the restaurant decided to order fish. They may have mumbled something about “other alternatives”, but they didn’t provide any clear sense of what, other than eating fish one should do.

 

[ND_Mike]

zange:

ND Mike,

Thanks. The citations from canon law do help clear things up.

So, basically, for US Catholics, we are NOT required to abstain from meat on ordinary Fridays (the EWTN ad is quite misleading).
The US Catholic bishops have an exemption from the general requirement for us American Catholics. (I wonder how many other Catholics around the world have such an exemption?)

I understand we are encouraged to do so anyway, and/or to perform other acts of penance also. Indeed, I do try to abstrain from meat and other things on Fridays anyway.

But what did you mean by rebellion against the Church was “punishable by mortal sin”?

Metal1633, can you provide Church documentation for what Father Echert from EWTN said? (I’ve run into priests who say lots of things, sometimes correct, sometimes not) The add I saw led one to believe that “nothing had changed”, and the two fellows in the restaurant decided to order fish. They may have mumbled something about “other alternatives”, but they didn’t provide any clear sense of what, other than eating fish one should do.

What I mean by punishable by mortal sin is if you choose not to perform some sort of penance on Fridays knowing that the Church teaches you must results in mortal sin. The act is not mortal sin, but by disobeying the Church’s law on this would be considered a mortal sin. The EWTN response is correct but they don’t really emphasize the ability to do other penace like not tv, praying the rosary, or reading the bible, etc…

 

[zange]

ND Mike,

Thanks. That helps me understand your point better. Mortal sin wouldn’t be the punishment, but the act of defiance itself. (The Church doesn’t punish anyone with mortal sin: they do that to themselves.)

But “mortal” sin? Hmm. I think we often throw that around a bit too casually here. Yes, I know very well that one can put oneself in a state of mortal sin by turning against the Church. But I’m having a harder time seeing an otherwise faithful Catholic who just doesn’t avoid meat on Fridays (and isn’t consistent about performing other forms of penance) as in a state of mortal sin.
I’m afraid that may well be the overwhelming majority of US Catholics. They would be in a state of mortal sin, as mortal as, say, committing murder, adultery, etc? Doesn’t seem to meet the proportionality requirement of justice.

In short, I think the judgment of what constitutes a mortal vs. venial, sin ought to be determined in consultation with one’s conscience and one’s priest. There are subjective factors that determine the difference between mortal and venial sin (what constitutes grave matter and what constitutes full knowledge and will). That’s why we don’t have an authoritative list of which acts constitute mortal vs. venial sins. No?

And not all of the Church’s pronouncements are equally binding on the faithful. Policy on war in Iraq, eating meat on Fridays, and no abortion. Would disagreeing with any one of these pronoucements subject one equally to a state of mortal sin?

 

[Greg_McPherran]

metal1633:

This from Father Echert at EWTN

All Catholics are obliged to do penance on EVERY Friday of the entire year, unless a particular Friday is some solemn Feast Day, as occasionally happens. The universal manner of accomplishing that penance is abstinance from meat; by indult for the United States, if an American chooses to replace that with some other penance, he has that right, but a failure to do some penance–abstinance or its substitute–is a sin. As to degree of sin, that may vary with knowledge and intention. Many Catholics are ignorant of the general requirement throughout the year, since it is rarely, if ever, taught and preached these days. However, once a Catholic knows, he is obliged, under pain of sin.

I have been confused about this. I think I have seen a link to an article here on CA (Jimmy Akin?) that indicated that since the American Bishops did not substitute a penenace, then none was strictly required. I think there is a lot of confusion about this. Can we clear this up? Actually it sounds like you have cleared it up, but what about that article? Perhaps others know what I am referring to.

Greg

 

[Hesychios]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Two points I would like to add to the discussion, first of all the early Christians actually originally fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays and I am surprised that this never comes up in discussion.

Our Lord was betrayed on Wedneday and brutalized on Friday, He died to this life for all of us that day and rose again on the eigth day. We could always keep this in mind with a weekly pattern of fast-fast-feast, just as the early Catholics did and many Orthodox still do.

In earlier times people had a life of Faith, and did not question whether a sin was mortal or not, or how the sin (or lack of) is specifically explained. But in the West it has been so long since the average person lived like this that almost no one realizes that fasting would have been on Wednesday too.

Our whole society is so lax about matters of Faith and practice that most Catholics are surprised to learn that we still have a fasting rule at all.

Metal1633 was correct, as usual, but I cannot provide references right now.

Which brings me to my second point. I understood that we are to do some other form of penance if we do not fast, as our choice. I was surprised to learn of the opinion that the bishops should have picked a form of penance for us to do, I never heard that before. We should be mature enough and enlightened enough to do this without so much direction.

I would recommend some scripture study on Friday, or volunteering help to some worthy endeavor. Possibly write a big check to a charity or do errands with the Society of St Vincent De Paul.

Today, even staying off of the internet for 24 hours would seem like a huge sacrifice to some people! Or staying off the telephone! But I am not suggesting that.

 

[mercygate]

Nuancing the terminology here: not eating meat is not “fasting,” it is “abstinence.” In the U.S., abstinence from meat is required only on the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday (which is technically not Lent). Fasting (eating only one meal in a day) is required only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

 

[tuopaolo]

Greg_McPherran:

I have been confused about this. I think I have seen a link to an article here on CA (Jimmy Akin?) that indicated that since the American Bishops did not substitute a penenace, then none was strictly required. I think there is a lot of confusion about this. Can we clear this up? Actually it sounds like you have cleared it up, but what about that article? Perhaps others know what I am referring to.

Greg

I think you’re referring to some things Jimmy Akin wrote on his blog:

jimmyakin.org/2004/07/since_tomorrow_.html
jimmyakin.org/2004/07/more_on_friday_.html

I’m pretty sure Mr Akin is right that practicing penance on Fridays in the US is no longer required, though it is urged upon.

Getting back to the original post, there are many scriptures in the Old Testament which speak of fasting. Probably over 20, maybe even over 50 or 100. In the New Testament Jesus says that Christians will fast. Luke 5:34-35

“Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

I’m not sure what He means by “when the bridegroom is taken away from them” but whatever it means there are at least some times, namely “those days”, when Christians would do good to fast.

As for why we abstain specifically from meat, I’m not too sure about that. I’ve heard it’s because meat is something people like to eat. But maybe it has to do with how we didn’t eat meat before the Flood.

 

[metal1633]

tuopaolo:

I’m pretty sure Mr Akin is right that practicing penance on Fridays in the US is no longer required, though it is urged upon.

Yes it IS still required. Friday penance is a UNIVERSAL law of the Church.

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.

 

[Greg_McPherran]

metal1633:

Yes it IS still required. Friday penance is a UNIVERSAL law of the Church.

Well, then someone better tell Mr. Akin.

Greg

 

[MariaG]

An interesting product of research. (Sorry I read it in the newspaper, don’t have a link )

Researchers have found that 24 - 48 (I think it was actually 36 hours but am not positive) after eating fish activates the parts of the brain that are highly active during prayer and meditation.

Just like many Jewish laws of food, the medical knowledge may not have been understood, but God’s people still seem to be in the “know”.

 

[Sunniva]

Hi, all.

Abstaining from meat on Fridays does not mean that we necessarily have to eat fish. What about going vegetarian on Fridays (if you don’t abstain from something other than meat)? For instance East-Indian cuisine have several vegetarian dishes to choose from.

Just my :twocents: and now back to my .

 

[Ahimsa]

Sunniva:

Hi, all.

Abstaining from meat on Fridays does not mean that we necessarily have to eat fish. What about going vegetarian on Fridays (if you don’t abstain from something other than meat)? For instance East-Indian cuisine have several vegetarian dishes to choose from.

Just my :twocents: and now back to my .

Does eating donuts and pretzels count as vegetarian?

Ahimsa

 

[metal1633]

Greg_McPherran:

Well, then someone better tell Mr. Akin.

Greg

Someone needs to tell him is right. And I have. The American Bishops do not over-ride Rome. If they issued no directive as to the nature of the penance to be done on Fridays then the directive of Rome applies. If they issue a directive contrary to Rome, the Roman directive applies. USCCB is subordinate to Rome.

**Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the UNIVERSAL Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. **

 

[Greg_McPherran]

Have you heard from Mr. Akin? Apparently, he is aware of arguments but insists that he is right:

Jimmy Akin: Most priests–and, indeed, most canonists–have not gone over the legal documents on this point in the level of detail that I have. Those who say that the obligation still exists generally have heard it said by others and are repeating what they have heard in good conscience, perhaps backed up by a quick glance at the documents, but not a meticulous reading of them.

Jimmy Akin: This argument is problematic. What the canon law in force in 1966 said was that Friday was a day of abstinence, period. It did not say that Fridays are “days of penance” (or “penitence,” to use the 1966 document’s terms). Indeed, the concept of a “day of penance” did not become part of canon law until the 1983 Code was released. If you read the relevant canons in the 1917 Code (1243-1246 and 1250-1254), you will see that they speak exclusively in terms of “days of fast” and “days of abstinence.” The codification of the “day of penance” concept (the term the 1983 Code uses) represents a reordering of the law to make clear the particular good (penance) that was being secured by particular practices (fast and abstinence).

I only pursue the issue further because Mr. Akin is a reputable apologist associated with Catholic Answers.

Greg