Michael Brooks
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, a period of fasting and prayer that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends 40 days later on Holy Saturday. This practice commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus, who gave his body for mankind on Good Friday. Abstinence is considered a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness and honour Jesus' self-sacrifice. Catholics who have reached their fourteenth year are expected to abstain from meat and poultry on Fridays during Lent, and those between 18 and 59 are also bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. While chicken broth is allowed, chicken is considered meat, and Catholics are expected to abstain from eating it on Fridays during Lent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days Catholics abstain from eating meat | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent |
| Who needs to observe the practice | Catholics aged 14-59 |
| What constitutes meat | Flesh and organs of mammals or fowls |
| Animals considered meat | Chicken, cows, sheep, pigs, and other mammals and birds |
| Foods allowed during abstinence | Fish, amphibians, reptiles, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, and sauces made from animal fats |
| Reason for abstinence | To commemorate the passion and death of Jesus, to practice self-denial and austerity |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Catholics are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as all Fridays during Lent. This abstention from meat is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which is practised to honour Jesus, who practised the ultimate form of self-denial when he gave his body for his disciples. By abstaining from meat, Catholics can also commemorate the passion and death of Jesus, who died on a Friday.
Meat, in this context, refers to the flesh and organs of mammals and fowls, which includes chickens, cows, sheep, and pigs. Birds are also considered meat, and abstinence laws extend to meat juices and liquid foods made from meat, such as chicken broth. However, some people choose to abstain from all animal-derived products during this period. Fish are not considered meat, and Catholics may choose to eat fish on Fridays during Lent instead.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is not unique to Lent; it is also observed on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are expected to observe the law of fasting on these days, in addition to abstaining from meat. Fasting involves limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Two other light meals may be consumed during the day, as long as they do not equal a full meal. Those whose work or health would be impaired are exempt from fasting and abstinence.
There are several theories as to why Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. One theory suggests that it was a way to preserve food. By abstaining from meat, people could stretch their food supply until spring, when new crops and livestock would be available. Another theory suggests that meat was chosen because it was a luxury item, and abstaining from it was a way to practice simplicity and austerity.
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Catholics over 14 and under 60 must also fast on these days
Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. This is because Jesus died on a Friday, and so fasting on Fridays allows Catholics to commemorate his passion and death. Meat, in this context, is defined as the flesh and organs of mammals and fowls, which includes chicken. Therefore, Catholics are not supposed to eat chicken on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, or Good Friday.
The abstinence laws consider meat to come from animals that live on land, such as chickens, cows, sheep, and pigs. Birds are also considered meat. However, meat juices and liquid foods made from meat are not included in the abstinence laws. So, foods like chicken broth, consommé, soups cooked or flavoured with meat, meat gravies, sauces, and seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are not forbidden.
According to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, abstinence from meat is required for all Catholics aged fourteen and older, and there is no upper age limit. This is because Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday, and so Catholics refrain from eating flesh meat in his honour on Fridays. Those under 14 and over 64 are exempt from fasting. However, another source states that those under 14 and over 65 are exempt.
Catholics between the ages of 14 and 59 are also bound to observe the law of fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Two other light meals that do not equal a full meal may be consumed throughout the day. Those whose work or health would be impaired are excused from fasting.
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Meat includes the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl
Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. Meat is considered the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl, which includes chickens, cows, sheep, and pigs. Therefore, Catholics do not eat chicken on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to honour the sacrifice of Jesus's flesh on Good Friday. This tradition is also based on the belief that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert before his crucifixion, which occurred on a Friday. By abstaining from meat, Catholics can commemorate Jesus's passion and death.
The definition of meat specifically includes the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl. This means that animals such as chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs, and sheep are considered meat. Birds, such as chickens, are specifically classified as meat and are not to be consumed on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday.
While Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday, they are still allowed to consume certain animal products. Non-flesh products, such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats, are permitted. Additionally, meat juices and liquid foods derived from meat, such as chicken broth, consommé, meat gravies, and seasonings, are not considered violations of the abstinence rules. However, moral theologians encourage Catholics to refrain from all animal-derived products during this period.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays is not unique to Catholicism, as Orthodox Christians also practice fasting on Fridays and Wednesdays throughout the year. The practice of fasting and abstaining from meat is meant to be a sober and ascetic choice that allows Catholics to grow in holiness and honour Jesus's sacrifice.
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Chicken broth is allowed during Lent
Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, a practice that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which happened on a Friday. This includes the meat of mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey.
However, while flesh meat is prohibited during Lent, non-flesh products of these animals are allowed. This includes milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces or seasonings made from animal fats.
Chicken broth falls under the category of non-flesh meat products, as it is a liquid food made from meat. Therefore, according to abstinence laws, chicken broth is allowed during Lent. While moral theologians encourage Catholics to abstain from all animal-derived products, chicken broth is not considered a violation of the Lenten rules of abstinence and is technically permitted.
The distinction between flesh meat and non-flesh meat products is important in Catholic fasting practices. While Catholics are expected to refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, they are allowed to consume certain animal-derived products, such as chicken broth, that are not considered flesh meat. This distinction allows for a degree of flexibility in meal preparation and consumption while still adhering to the spirit of asceticism and self-denial that characterizes Lenten fasting.
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Catholics used to abstain from meat every Friday, but this practice has died out
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, which includes Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means that chicken, which is considered meat, is also forbidden on these days. Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which is practised to grow in holiness. This practice is based on Jesus' sacrifice of his flesh for humanity on Good Friday, and so Catholics refrain from eating flesh meat, including chicken, on Fridays in his honour.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent has died out. However, Orthodox Christians continue to fast on Fridays and Wednesdays throughout the year. The practice of abstaining from meat during Lent is also based on the belief that Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before his crucifixion, which occurred on a Friday. Thus, Catholics fast on Fridays to commemorate his passion and death.
There are several theories as to why meat was chosen as the food to abstain from during Lent. One theory, called the survival theory, suggests that abstaining from meat would allow people to preserve their food supply. By abstaining from meat, people could preserve their food supply until spring when new crops and animals would be available. Another theory suggests that meat was chosen because it was not as accessible as fish in the Mediterranean world, and abstaining from it was a form of self-denial.
While Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, there are some exceptions to this rule. Catholics are permitted to consume meat juices and liquid foods made from meat, such as chicken broth, consommé, and meat gravies or sauces. These foods are not considered violations of the Lenten rules of abstinence. Additionally, Catholics may also consume non-flesh products of animals, such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics abstain from eating chicken on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics refrain from eating the flesh of animals on Fridays during Lent because Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday.
Catholics eat fish on Fridays during Lent because it is a cheaper source of protein and is not considered flesh meat.
Catholics also abstain from eating beef, pork, and turkey on Fridays during Lent as these are considered flesh meat.
Yes, Catholics under the age of 14 and over the age of 59 are exempt from abstaining from eating chicken on Fridays during Lent.
