Grace Thompson
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christmas Eve tradition among many Catholic families of Italian-American descent. The meal typically consists of seven types of fish or seven preparations of one or two species. The number seven is rooted in ancient times and is connected to several Catholic symbols, including the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven days of Creation, and the seven deadly sins. While the Catholic Church no longer requires abstinence from meat on Christmas Eve, many families continue to uphold the tradition, opting for fish-based dishes such as baccalà (salted codfish), fried smelts, calamari, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the feast | Feast of the Seven Fishes, The Vigil, La Vigilia, Wigilia |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Occasion | Christmas Eve |
| Food | Fish, seafood |
| Number of dishes | Seven or thirteen |
| Examples of dishes | Baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, calamari, pickled herring, fried carp, anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, shrimp, mussels, clams |
| Reasoning | Abstaining from meat on the eve of religious feasts, the birth of Jesus, the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church |
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What You'll Learn
The Feast of the Seven Fishes
While the Feast of the Seven Fishes is traditionally an Italian-American event, anyone can participate and make the tradition their own. It is not necessary to be Italian, Italian-American, or even to celebrate Christmas to enjoy the feast. The key is to cook an abundance of seafood for the people you care about and to prioritise family and cultural connections. The feast is a long-standing tradition that is deeply rooted in Italian-American culture and is often a cherished memory for those who participate.
Overall, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a unique and special tradition that combines culinary delights with cultural and religious significance. It is a time for family, friends, and community to come together and celebrate their shared heritage and the joy of the holiday season. The feast is a beloved tradition that has been passed down through generations and continues to evolve, with new dishes and traditions being incorporated each year.
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The Vigil
The tradition originated in Southern Italy as "La Vigilia", which means "wait" in reference to the Christ child. It was later popularised in the early 1900s by Italian-American families who revived the Old Country's Christmas Eve tradition to feel closer to their roots. The number seven is significant in Catholicism, representing the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven days of Creation, and the seven deadly sins. The feast typically includes dishes such as baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, calamari, anchovies, lobster, sardines, and more.
Although the Catholic Church dropped the meatless rule in 1966, the tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve has persisted in many Catholic families, especially those of Italian, Ukrainian, Polish, and Portuguese descent. It is a way to uphold culinary and ethnic traditions that have been passed down for centuries.
Preparing and serving the feast of seven fishes can take various forms. Some cooks opt for seven distinct types of fish, while others prefer seven preparations of one or two species, or a combination thereof. The feast may also include seafood stew, allowing for a variety of fish species in a single dish.
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Abstaining from meat on holy days
The practice of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve is often referred to as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This name originates from the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church: baptism, penance, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and the sacrament of the sick. The number seven also has other symbolic meanings within the Catholic Church, including the seven days of Creation and the seven deadly sins.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a tradition that originated in Italy, specifically in the southern region and Sicily, and has been adopted by Italian-Americans. It involves eating seven different types of fish or seven preparations of one or two species. Some popular dishes include baccalà (salted codfish), fried smelts, calamari, anchovies, and sardines. The tradition is not limited to Italian-Americans, however, as other European cultures such as Ukrainians, Poles, Italians, and Portuguese also have their unique meatless Christmas Eve traditions.
While the Catholic Church dropped the meatless rule in 1966, many Catholic families continue to uphold the tradition of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve and instead make fish the focus of their meal. This practice is seen as a way to honour and feel connected to their cultural and religious roots.
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The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church
In the Catholic Church, there are seven holy sacraments that are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Jesus Christ. Each sacrament is celebrated with a visible rite that reflects its invisible, spiritual essence. While some sacraments are received only once, others require ongoing participation to foster a "living faith" in the celebrant. The seven sacraments are often classified into three categories: the sacraments of initiation, the sacraments of healing, and the sacraments of service.
The sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Baptism is the sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. In Catholicism, the baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children or adults who wish to join the faith must also receive this sacrament. Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to ""confirm" a baptized person in their faith. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is another sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship, in which the priest consecrates bread and wine, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ.
The sacraments of healing are Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. Penance, also known as Confession, involves the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil). The Anointing of the Sick is intended to provide comfort and peace to the ill.
The sacraments of service are Holy Orders and Matrimony. Holy Orders refers to the ordination of individuals into the priesthood, and Matrimony is the sacrament of marriage, seen as a holy union between two people.
The seven sacraments are deeply important to the Catholic Church, touching all stages and important moments of a Christian's life. While the specific number of sacraments was not always defined, the current seven were set out in the Sentences by Peter Lombard and confirmed by the Fourth Council of Lateran in 1215.
As for the tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve, this is indeed a custom in several European cultures, including Italians, Poles, and Portuguese, among others. The meal is traditionally meatless, with fish as the focus, and is often referred to as the "Feast of the Seven Fishes." This practice is believed to have originated from Catholic Church edicts that called for abstaining from meat on the eve of religious feasts such as Christmas. While abstinence is no longer required, many families continue this tradition as a way to connect with their cultural roots and celebrate their faith.
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The Wigilia tradition in Poland
The Wigilia tradition is observed by Polish-American Catholics on Christmas Eve. The name comes from the Polish word "wait", reflecting the anticipation of the Christ child's arrival. The celebration involves a meatless feast, with fish as the main course, that begins when the first star appears in the eastern sky. Guests share a wafer adorned with angel images.
The traditional Wigilia menu in Poland includes pickled herring and fried carp. However, the number of fish dishes can vary, with some families serving seven or thirteen different types of fish. The number seven is significant in Catholicism, representing the seven sacraments, seven days of creation, and seven deadly sins. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a well-known Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition with roots in Southern Italy, where it is called "La Vigilia".
The Wigilia dinner is a special occasion for Polish families to connect with their heritage and share a meal that is both delicious and meaningful. It is a time-honoured tradition that has been passed down through generations, with each family putting their unique touch on the menu while preserving the central element of fish.
The Wigilia celebration also holds symbolic significance. The sharing of the wafer stamped with angels is a spiritual moment that unites the guests in anticipation of the Christmas miracle. The appearance of the first star in the eastern sky marks the beginning of the feast, adding a celestial element to the festivities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics do not have to eat fish on Christmas Eve. While the Catholic Church dropped the rule about abstaining from meat in 1966, many Catholic families continue the tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve.
The tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve is based on the Catholic belief that one should avoid eating meat on holy days. It is also said that the number seven in the Feast of the Seven Fishes refers to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven days of Creation, and the seven deadly sins.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes can include any combination of seven types of fish or preparations of one or two species. Some examples include baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, calamari, anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, shrimp, mussels, and clams.
