Sarah Mitchell
Catholics are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. This practice is rooted in the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday, and by abstaining from meat, Catholics honour his sacrifice. The type of meat Catholics abstain from is called flesh meat, which includes mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Fish is not considered flesh meat and is traditionally consumed as an alternative source of protein during periods of abstinence. Abstinence from meat is seen as a form of asceticism, self-denial, and penance, reminding Catholics of their past wrongs and encouraging solidarity with those who are suffering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent |
| Age Limit | 14 and older |
| Meat Type | Flesh meat (meat of mammals and poultry) |
| Examples | Beef, pork, chicken, turkey |
| Exceptions | Fish, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, sauces made from animal fats |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday as a form of penance. Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which is practised to grow in holiness. The practice of abstinence is rooted in the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. Thus, Catholics refrain from eating flesh meat, or the meat of mammals and poultry, on Fridays and other significant days to honour Jesus. This tradition has been observed for several centuries, particularly in England, Wales, and Canada.
According to canon law, Catholics aged 14 and above are required to abstain from meat on Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. While flesh meat is prohibited, non-flesh products, such as milk, cheese, butter, and eggs, are allowed. Fish is also not considered flesh meat, and traditionally, many Catholics would eat fish on Fridays instead of meat. However, this practice was discontinued in 1984, and Catholics were given the option to replace it with another form of penance.
In some countries, the Bishops' Conferences have allowed substitutions for abstinence from meat on Fridays, except for Good Friday. For example, Catholics in England and Wales are expected to abstain from meat on Fridays if they are able to do so. Similarly, the Bishops of the United States recommend abstinence on all Fridays of the year, particularly during Lent. However, outside of Lent, Catholics may choose another form of penance that is meaningful to them.
The practice of abstinence from meat is not limited to Fridays and can extend to other days during Holy Week, such as Holy Saturday. Additionally, some Catholics may choose to abstain from meat on Wednesdays or observe more rigorous fasting practices during Great Lent, such as refraining from dairy, eggs, and fats. While the rules and traditions surrounding abstinence and fasting may vary across different cultures and countries, the underlying spiritual motives remain consistent.
Fasting and abstinence are seen as ways to purify the soul, elevate the mind, and subordinate the flesh to the spirit. It is a form of self-discipline that brings one closer to God and helps train oneself in freedom from material pleasures. By abstaining from meat, Catholics honour Jesus' sacrifice and model simplicity and austerity in their lives.
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Meat is defined as the flesh of mammals and poultry
According to Catholic doctrine, abstinence from meat is required for all Catholics aged 14 and older. This means abstaining from the flesh of mammals and poultry, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Fish is not considered meat in this context, and Catholics traditionally eat fish on Fridays instead of meat. This practice can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the Book of Genesis, where God commands humans to abstain from eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. While this command did not concern the sacrifice of flesh, abstaining from meat later became a form of penance and self-denial to honour Jesus, who sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays has been observed for centuries, and it is regarded as a form of penance to remind people of past wrongs and to identify with those who are suffering. While the consumption of flesh meat is prohibited on Fridays, non-flesh products of these animals, such as milk, cheese, butter, and eggs, are allowed. Additionally, Catholics are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means consuming only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not amount to a full meal.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from the age of 14, according to canon 1252 of the Code of Canon Law. However, it is important to note that those who are physically or mentally ill, pregnant, or nursing are exempt from the requirements of fasting and abstinence. In recent years, there has been a growing support for the return of obligatory Friday abstinence from meat, especially in England and Wales, where it was reinstated in 2011.
The practice of abstaining from meat is not limited to Fridays during Lent, as some Catholics choose to abstain from meat on all days of Holy Week, except for Holy Saturday, when meat is typically consumed after 12 pm. While the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays has been a long-standing one, the Church has made adjustments over the years to relax the austerity of the practice, especially for labourers and mothers.
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Fish is allowed, as it's not considered flesh meat
The Catholic Church requires abstinence from meat for all Catholics aged 14 and older. This practice is based on the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday, and by refraining from eating flesh meat on Fridays, Catholics honour his sacrifice. Flesh meat refers to the meat of mammals and poultry, specifically excluding fish, which was historically cheaper and more commonly consumed.
The Latin word for meat, "caro", has always been understood to exclude fish, as it refers specifically to flesh meat. Fish are not considered warm-blooded or land animals, and they were a plentiful source of protein, even during winters when lakes froze over and fishing continued. This distinction between fish and flesh meat has led to fish being allowed within the dietary restrictions of Catholicism.
Historically, the practice of abstaining from meat was more stringent, with early Catholics observing a black fast during Lent, consuming only bread and vegetables, or even fasting completely. Over time, the Church relaxed these rules, allowing an extra meal and the reintroduction of white meats during Lent. However, abstinence from flesh meat on Fridays remained, and fish became a traditional alternative for Catholics.
In certain countries, such as Canada, England, and Wales, Catholics are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays year-round, not just during Lent. This practice is seen as a penance to remind people of past wrongs and to identify with those who are suffering. While no specific food is suggested as a substitute, fish has traditionally filled this role for Catholics, although this practice was discontinued in 1984.
In summary, fish is allowed within the dietary restrictions of Catholicism because it is not considered flesh meat. This distinction is based on the Latin word "caro", the traditional association of fish with simplicity and austerity, and the practical considerations of fish as a plentiful source of protein throughout history.
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Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is based on the idea of penance, reminding Catholics of past wrongs and identifying with those who are suffering. It is also a way to honour Jesus, who sacrificed his flesh for humanity on Good Friday. According to canon law, all Latin Church Catholics aged 14 and older are required to observe abstinence from meat on Fridays, except when a Solemnity falls on that day.
In some countries, the Bishops' Conferences have allowed the substitution of pious or charitable acts for abstinence from meat. Additionally, those who are physically or mentally ill, including individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant or nursing women, and individuals under the age of 14 are exempt from the requirement to fast or abstain from meat.
The tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent and on specific days such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday has ancient roots in the Catholic Church. Early Catholics practised austerity and deprivation during these periods, sometimes following a black fast with only one meal of bread and vegetables. Over time, the Church introduced dispensations, allowing extra meals, white meats, and eventually flesh meats on weekdays during Lent.
While the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays was discontinued in 1984, it was reinstated in England and Wales in 2011, with Catholics encouraged to abstain from meat or another food they regularly consume. This reintroduction coincided with the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK.
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Fasting rules have been relaxed over time
The Catholic Church teaches that all people are obliged to perform penance for their sins, and that these acts of penance are both personal and corporeal. Abstinence from meat is a form of asceticism, the practice of self-denial to grow in holiness. Since Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday, Catholics refrain from eating flesh meat in his honour on Fridays. Flesh meat includes the meat of mammals and poultry, such as beef, pork, chicken, and turkey.
Over the years, the rules around fasting and abstinence have been relaxed. For instance, in 1957, Pope Pius XII reduced the fasting period from midnight until Mass to three hours before the time of reception of Communion. This paved the way for the celebration of evening Masses. In 1964, Pope Paul VI further reduced the Eucharistic Fast to one hour, and even less for priests celebrating more than one Mass on the same day.
In 1984, the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays was discontinued in England and Wales, and Catholics were instead given the option to replace it with another form of penance. However, in 2011, the Bishops' Conference reinstated the expectation that all Catholics able to do so should abstain from meat on Fridays, effective 16 September 2011. This was to coincide with the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK in September 2010.
The norms on fasting and abstinence also differ depending on the region and the specific Catholic Church. For instance, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference decreed in 1985 that Fridays throughout the year, including Lent (other than Good Friday), are not obligatory days of abstinence from meat provided that an alternative form of penance is practised. On the other hand, the Bishops' Conference in England and Wales reintroduced the expectation of abstinence from meat on Fridays in 2011. In the United States, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) produced a statement in 1966 called the Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence, which was modified in 1983 and is still commonly accepted today.
While the rules have been relaxed in some regions, the practice of fasting and abstinence remains an important part of Catholic tradition, with each region adapting the norms to suit their specific needs and cultural context.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent. Meat from warm-blooded land animals and birds is forbidden, as well as meat by-products like milk, cheese, eggs, butter, broth, and meat sauces.
Abstaining from meat during Lent is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness and honour the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It is also meant to unite Catholics in a common sacrifice and enable them to share a common bond.
The rule of abstinence from meat applies to Catholics aged 14 and older. Those who are physically or mentally ill, including individuals with chronic illnesses, as well as pregnant or nursing women, are exempt from this rule.
Fish is permitted during Lent, as it is considered neither warm-blooded nor a land animal. However, some argue that this defeats the ascetical purpose of abstinence, as seafood delicacies are considered more luxurious than meat in modern times.
In addition to meat, Catholics are encouraged to fast and abstain from luxuries during Lent. This may include sweets, alcohol, or other indulgences. The specific sacrifices made may vary depending on individual circumstances and spiritual goals.
