Michael Brooks
Catholics are expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, a practice that has been observed for centuries and is regarded as a penance. This includes Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent. The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays is intended to remind people of past wrongs and identify with those who are suffering. While fish became a traditional alternative for Catholics, the practice was discontinued in 1984, and Catholics were given the option to replace it with another form of penance. In some countries, substitutions of pious or charitable acts for abstinence from meat on Fridays are allowed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days Catholics don't eat meat | Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent |
| Age restrictions | Everyone over the age of 14 must abstain from meat. Members of the Latin Catholic Church must fast from ages 18 to 59. |
| Exemptions | Pregnant or nursing women, the physically or mentally ill, and individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes |
| Alternative forms of penance | Visiting the Blessed Sacrament, helping the poor, sick, and lonely, or refraining from technology |
| Types of meat avoided | Flesh meat, including chicken, cows, sheep, and pigs. Birds are also considered meat. |
| Types of food allowed | Fish, amphibians, reptiles (cold-blooded animals), shellfish, pancakes, waffles, soup, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches |
| Purpose of abstinence | Penance, self-denial, simplicity, and austerity to honor Jesus Christ's sacrifice |
| Historical practices | Midnight until Mass fasts, reduced to three hours before Communion by Pope Pius XII in 1957, further reduced to one hour by Pope Paul VI in 1964 |
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What You'll Learn
Abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent
Abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a tradition that has been observed by Catholics for centuries. The practice is rooted in the belief that Jesus sacrificed his flesh on Good Friday, and abstaining from meat is a way to honour his sacrifice. This tradition of abstinence is also mentioned in the Bible, in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:9-16), where St. Peter has a vision in which God reveals that Christians can eat any food. Thus, when Catholics abstain from meat, it is not because they consider it impure, but rather a voluntary act of self-denial for their spiritual benefit.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is not just a Catholic tradition but has also been adopted by believers and non-believers of other faiths, including Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims, who restrict meat in their diets according to their religious creeds. In the past, Catholics would observe a “black fast” during Lent, which meant either no food or only one meal per day, usually consisting of bread and vegetables with a little water. Over time, the Church relaxed these rules, especially for labourers and mothers, allowing additional meals, the reintroduction of "white meats," and eventually permitting flesh meats on the weekdays of Lent, except for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Today, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) maintains the rule of abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent for Catholics aged 14 and above. Those aged 18 to 59 are also required to fast on these days, unless exempt due to medical or other specific reasons, such as pregnancy or nursing. While fasting refers to restricting the quantity of food consumed, abstinence refers to avoiding certain types of food, such as meat and meat products.
The practice of abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which helps Catholics grow in holiness and honour Jesus, who practised the ultimate form of self-denial through his sacrifice on the Cross. While fish and other seafood are permitted during periods of abstinence, some Catholics choose to observe a stricter form of abstinence by avoiding all animal products. This practice is not about considering meat impure but about voluntarily giving up something valuable as a form of penance and spiritual discipline.
Overall, the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a long-standing Catholic practice that has evolved over the centuries. It is a form of penance, self-denial, and spiritual preparation for Easter, allowing Catholics to reflect on their faith and honour the sacrifice of Jesus.
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Catholics over 14 must abstain
Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, particularly during Lent. This practice is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross on Good Friday. As such, Christians have historically observed every Friday as "Good Friday" to remember Christ's passion and unite their sufferings with his through penance.
Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which allows Catholics to grow in holiness. By denying the cravings of their bodies, they can honour Jesus, who practiced self-denial when he gave his body for humanity on the Cross. This form of penance expresses sorrow for wrongdoing and indicates a willingness to turn away from sin and back to God.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays has been observed for centuries, though it was discontinued in 1984 in England and Wales. However, in 2011, the Bishops' Conference re-introduced the expectation that all Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the year. This practice is not limited to England and Wales, as many other countries still require abstinence from meat on Fridays.
It is important to note that fish is not considered meat in the Catholic tradition. Fish, as well as other cold-blooded animals, were historically associated with penance rather than celebration. Thus, Catholics often turn to fish as an alternative during periods of abstinence from meat.
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Fish is allowed
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness. It is a practice that goes back to the earliest days of the Church. Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from meat on these days, and those aged 18 to 59 must also fast. Abstaining from meat is a way to honour the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday.
While Catholics are not required by the Church to eat fish on Fridays, it is often used as a substitute for meat-based meals. Fish is allowed because it is not considered "flesh meat". The Latin word for meat, "caro", has never been understood to include fish. Additionally, in former times, flesh meat was more expensive and associated with celebrations, while fish was cheaper and more commonly eaten. Fish are cold-blooded animals that live in water and use gills, and examples include cod, salmon, and tuna.
The practice of abstaining from meat is not unique to Catholicism, as Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims also restrict meat in their diets according to their beliefs. The tradition of abstaining from meat is rooted in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, which teaches that all the plants and animals God created are good for food. Jesus also taught that food does not make a person evil (Mark 7:18).
While the Church has relaxed the rules of abstinence over the years, allowing for meat on the weekdays of Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday remain important exceptions. Catholics who do not abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent are encouraged to substitute another form of penance.
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Meatless alternatives
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness. While fish is allowed during abstinence, some may choose to forgo meat and fish altogether.
There are many meatless alternatives that Catholics can eat during Lent. These include:
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Soup
- Rolls
- Macaroni and cheese
- Fried egg sandwiches
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Cheese or mushroom pizza
- Vegetable pot pie
- Kimchi fried rice
- Chilli
- Tacos
- Pasta
- Bean burritos
- Lentil stew
- Mushroom or vegetable pizza
- Baked pasta
- Fish, if you choose not to forgo it
In addition to meat, Catholics also abstain from "white meats" and "all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese, eggs". This includes butter, broth, and meat sauces like gravy.
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A form of penance
Abstinence from meat is a form of asceticism, the practice of self-denial to grow in holiness. It is a way for Catholics to express sorrow and contrition for their wrongdoing, indicating their intention to turn away from sin and back to God, and making reparation for their sins. Abstinence is also a sober way to practice simplicity and austerity, denying the cravings of the body to honour Jesus, who practised the ultimate form of self-denial when he gave his body for his people on the Cross.
Fasting and abstinence are closely related but distinct practices. Fasting refers to the quantity of food consumed and the time at which it is eaten, while abstinence refers to the avoidance of particular foods. Abstinence from meat is the most common form of abstinence, a practice that goes back to the earliest days of the Church.
The custom of abstaining from meat is not unique to Catholicism, but it has been recognised for generations as a beneficial practice, adopted by believers and non-believers alike. Faithful Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims all restrict meat in their diets to varying degrees and for different reasons according to their creeds.
The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is believed to have originated from the understanding that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross on a Friday. From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from meat to honour Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday. In recognition of this, canon law calls for abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of the year. However, the bishops of the United States have determined that outside of Lent, Catholics may choose to substitute another penance that is particularly meaningful to them, although abstinence on all Fridays is still recommended.
In addition to Fridays, Catholics are also expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. During Lent, Catholics may choose to follow the traditional rules for Lenten abstinence, which include eating meat at only one meal per day, in addition to strict abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Fridays.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays as a form of penance, honouring Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.
Abstinence from meat is one of the oldest Christian traditions, dating back to the earliest days of the Church.
Fasting refers to restrictions on the quantity of food consumed and the time at which it is eaten, whereas abstinence refers to avoiding certain types of food.
According to canon law, all Catholics aged 14 and above must abstain from eating meat on Fridays.
Fish is a traditional alternative to meat for Catholics. Other meatless meals include pancakes, waffles, macaroni and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
