Grace Thompson
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics, marking the end of Lent and the start of the Easter Triduum. Catholics are required to fast and abstain from eating meat on Good Friday, with some choosing to continue the fast until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. The day is a time of spiritual formation and preparation for Easter, as Catholics remember the death of Jesus on the cross. In addition to Good Friday, Catholics are also encouraged to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Purpose | Commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ |
| Music | No instruments, only unaccompanied chant |
| Fasting | One full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal |
| Meat | Abstain from eating meat |
| Alcohol | Permitted, left to individual discretion |
| Bells | Silent |
| Organ | Silent |
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What You'll Learn
Fasting rules for Good Friday
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Fasting is required of Catholics aged 18 to 59 who are in good health. On this day, they are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
Abstinence from meat is required for Catholics aged 14 and older. Meat from mammals and poultry is prohibited, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. However, non-flesh products such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats are allowed. Fish and cold-blooded animals, such as frogs, clams, shrimp, and crab, are also permitted.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Good Friday is to honour Jesus, who sacrificed his flesh for us on that day. It is a form of penance, expressing sorrow for our wrongdoing and turning to God.
The fast on Good Friday is ideally continued until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, known as the "paschal fast", to further honour the suffering and death of Jesus.
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Abstinence from meat
Flesh meat, or the meat of mammals and poultry, is prohibited on Fridays during Lent and Good Friday. This includes beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. However, non-flesh products, such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats, are permitted. Fish and cold-blooded animals, such as frogs, clams, shrimp, and oysters, are also allowed.
Catholics who observe this rule may choose from a variety of meatless dinner options on Fridays during Lent and Good Friday. These include pancakes, waffles, soup, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese pizza, and fish.
It is important to note that the practice of abstaining from meat is not limited to food. Catholics may also choose to fast from TV, social media, cursing, gossip, or any other habit that does not feed their soul. This allows them to focus on their spiritual growth and dependence on God.
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Age requirements for fasting
Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. The norms on fasting are obligatory for members of the Latin Catholic Church from ages 18 to 59. During fasting, a person is allowed to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. This means that everyone aged 14 and above must abstain from eating meat on Good Friday. The Latin word for meat, 'caro', has never been understood to include fish. Therefore, abstinence from meat does not include fish or non-flesh products like milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats.
The Eastern Catholic Churches are obliged to follow the discipline of their own particular church. While some Eastern Catholics try to follow the stricter rules of their Orthodox counterparts, the actual canonical obligations of Eastern Catholics to fast and abstain are usually much more lenient than those of the Orthodox. Eastern Christians view fasting as one part of repentance and supporting a spiritual change of heart. They observe two major times of fasting: the "Great Fast" before Easter and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity.
The former regulations on abstinence obliged Catholics starting as young as age seven, but there were many exceptions. Large groups of people were considered exempt from fasting and abstinence, including the sick, those with physically demanding jobs, people travelling, and students.
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Good Friday as part of Easter Triduum
Good Friday is a day of abstinence and fasting for Catholics, who join other Christians in commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It marks the end of Lent, and Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on this day, as well as on Fridays during Lent. This is because Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday, and Catholics refrain from eating meat in his honour. The eating of fish is allowed, as are non-flesh products such as milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and sauces made from animal fats. Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from meat, and those aged 18-59 must also fast, eating only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal.
On Good Friday, the only music permitted during the period is unaccompanied chant, and the omission of the prayer of consecration is intended to deepen the sense of loss. The Good Friday service corresponds to the divisions of Mass, including the Liturgy of the Word and the reading of the Passion. The Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion, is often performed by Catholics during Lent and especially on Good Friday, commemorating the events of the day, including Christ's death and burial.
The Adoration of the Cross is also an important part of the Good Friday service, where Catholics kneel before and kiss a crucifix or an image/representation of Christ's cross. This act symbolises the highest honour given to the instrument of their salvation, affirming that Christ has redeemed the world through his sacrifice. The Reproaches (Improperia) are often chanted during this time as well. These practices have been adopted from the Church in Jerusalem, where a fragment of wood believed to be from the Lord's cross has been venerated annually on Good Friday since the fourth century.
Good Friday is a solemn occasion for Catholics, who use this day to remember Christ's humiliation, suffering, and death, as well as to prepare for and anticipate his Resurrection.
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Additional practices for Lent
Catholics traditionally observe a period of fasting and abstinence during Lent, which includes Good Friday. Fasting is defined as eating only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Abstinence refers specifically to refraining from eating meat. This includes mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. However, non-flesh products like milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and seafood are permitted. Cold-blooded animals, such as frogs, clams, shrimp, and oysters, are also allowed.
In addition to these dietary restrictions, Catholics may choose to give up other things during Lent. This could include abstaining from TV, social media, cursing, or gossip. The intention is to create small sacrifices and make oneself more available to God. For example, vegetarians might choose to give up sweets, coffee, or seasonings during Lent instead of meat.
Fasting and abstinence are forms of penance, expressing sorrow for one's wrongdoing and a desire to turn back to God. They are also a way to honour the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity on the cross. The omission of the prayer of consecration during the Good Friday service deepens the sense of loss and reminds Catholics of Christ's suffering and humiliation during his Passion.
The Stations of the Cross is a 14-step devotion often performed by Catholics during Lent, especially on Good Friday. It involves reciting the events of Good Friday, from the Last Supper to Christ's burial, and is commonly recited on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent. The Adoration of the Cross, adopted from the Church in Jerusalem, is another practice where Catholics venerate an image or representation of Christ's cross. This act symbolises honouring the instrument of their salvation and, ultimately, adoring Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are required to fast and abstain from eating meat on Good Friday. This means they are permitted to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast on Good Friday. Catholics aged 14 and above must abstain from eating meat on Good Friday.
Good Friday is the day on which Catholics remember the death of Jesus on the cross.
