Grace Thompson
Abstaining from meat on Fridays is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church, with roots tracing back to the early Middle Ages. While the exact origins are ambiguous, the practice is believed to be associated with Jesus fasting for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert and honouring his crucifixion on a Friday. Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved, with some modifications and exceptions introduced. Although it is no longer mandatory for Catholics worldwide to abstain from meat on Fridays, it remains a customary and recommended practice, especially during Lent and other significant periods in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for abstinence | To honour Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday |
| History of abstinence | Since the first century |
| Days of abstinence | Fridays, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday |
| Age of people required to abstain | 14 and above |
| Exceptions | Pregnant or nursing women, physically or mentally ill individuals |
| Food allowed | Fish, seafood |
| Alternative to abstinence | Other forms of penance, such as charity and piety |
| Countries where abstinence is not required | Countries where meat is not a regular dietary feature |
| Year when abstinence was made optional | 1966 |
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What You'll Learn
- The practice of abstinence from meat on Fridays is an old Christian tradition
- Canon law calls for abstinence from meat on Fridays, but other penances are allowed
- The US bishops made meatless Fridays optional in 1966, but some still observe it
- Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday
- The Latin Church still observes Friday abstinence, but other churches may choose another form of penance
The practice of abstinence from meat on Fridays is an old Christian tradition
Abstaining from meat on Fridays is a centuries-old tradition in Christianity, specifically Catholicism. It is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which is practised to grow in holiness. The practice is believed to have originated from the first century, with the day of the crucifixion being observed as a day to abstain from eating meat to honour Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.
The tradition is deeply rooted in Catholic doctrine, with Canon 1250 stating, "The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent." This means that abstinence from meat is observed on Fridays throughout the year, not just during Lent. However, there has been some confusion and debate surrounding the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent.
In 1966, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a document titled "Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence," which gave Catholics the option to choose another form of penance instead of abstaining from meat on Fridays outside of Lent. This decision was based on the understanding that abstinence from meat may not be a meaningful sacrifice for everyone, especially in countries where meat is not a regular part of the diet.
Despite this, many Catholics continue to view Friday abstinence as an integral part of their faith and choose to voluntarily abstain from meat on Fridays. This practice is seen as a way to show solidarity with generations of believers and as an act of love and piety towards Christ.
While the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent may have been relaxed in certain jurisdictions, the underlying principle of penance and self-denial remains a fundamental aspect of Catholic tradition and doctrine.
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Canon law calls for abstinence from meat on Fridays, but other penances are allowed
Abstaining from meat on Fridays is one of the oldest Christian traditions. Canon law calls for abstinence from meat on Fridays, but other penances are allowed. This is because abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which is practised to grow in holiness. Jesus asked his disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross (Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23). Abstinence is a way to practice simplicity and austerity, denying the body's cravings to honour Jesus, who gave up his body on the cross.
Canon 1251 states that abstinence from meat, or another food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, should be observed on all Fridays unless it is a solemnity. Canon 1253 further expands the competence of the national conference in regulating the practice of abstinence. This means that the US, for example, has its own particular law. In November 1966, US bishops released Catholics from the strict obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent. Bishops' conferences can determine how fasting and abstinence are observed, and they may substitute other forms of penance, such as works of charity and exercises of piety.
The Latin Church observes abstinence on all Fridays, but many national bishops' conferences, including the US, make exceptions, permitting Catholics to choose another form of penance. While some see this as a termination of the obligation to penance, others argue that the substitution is of the type of penance, not its obligation. The US bishops, in abolishing the law, expressed the "hope" that "the Catholic community will ordinarily continue to abstain from meat by free choice".
There are still meaningful reasons to observe Friday abstinence from meat. By abstaining, Catholics show their solidarity with generations of believers for whom this practice was integral to their faith, especially in times of persecution and poverty. Abstaining from meat on Fridays is a way for Catholics to connect with their history and piety. For those who are vegetarian or vegan, Friday penance can take another form.
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The US bishops made meatless Fridays optional in 1966, but some still observe it
The practice of Catholics abstaining from meat on Fridays is a centuries-old tradition. It is believed that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and in recognition of this, canon law calls for abstinence from eating meat on all Fridays of the year. This practice of abstinence is also known as "black fast".
In 1966, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States issued a “Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence”, which made meatless Fridays optional for Catholics. This decision was based on the reasoning that in countries where meat is not a regular part of the diet, another food item should be given up instead. As meat is commonly consumed in the United States, the bishops allowed Catholics to choose another form of penance instead of abstaining from meat. This change came about during a time of adjustments in liturgical and disciplinary law, as well as theological dissent and unapproved innovations within the Church.
While the US bishops made meatless Fridays optional, they still encouraged Catholics to continue the tradition of Friday penance and abstinence from meat. In their statement, the bishops expressed their hope that Catholics would voluntarily abstain from meat on Fridays, just as they had previously done so out of obedience to Church law. The bishops also noted that abstaining from meat on Fridays had been an integral part of Catholic piety and identity for centuries.
Despite the change in 1966, some Catholics in the United States still choose to observe meatless Fridays. Certain Catholic media outlets and lay movements have promoted the importance of maintaining Friday as a day of penance, and some Catholics have embraced this teaching. Additionally, the US bishops have continued to recommend abstinence on Fridays, and in 2012, they approved a "pastoral strategy" encouraging the faithful to practice Friday abstention from meat for the protection of life, marriage, and religious liberty.
While meatless Fridays are no longer mandatory for Catholics in the United States, the tradition still holds significance for many, and some continue to observe it voluntarily as a form of penance and piety.
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Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday
Abstinence from meat on Fridays is a tradition that has been practised by Catholics for nearly two millennia. While the rules and obligations surrounding this tradition have become less strict over time, many Catholics continue to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. During this time, Catholics are encouraged to seek the Lord in prayer, serve others by giving alms, and practice self-control through fasting and abstinence. Abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is a long-standing tradition among Catholics, and it is still observed by many today.
Good Friday holds a significant meaning for Catholics as it is believed to be the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. In honour of Jesus' sacrifice, Catholics observe a ""black fast"" on this day, abstaining from flesh meat. This tradition of abstinence on Good Friday has been practised since the first century and continues to be an important part of Catholic piety.
While abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year is no longer mandatory for Catholics, it is still encouraged by the Church. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops allows Catholics to choose another form of penance instead of abstaining from meat. However, many Catholics continue to view Friday as a day of penance and voluntarily abstain from meat, especially during Lent.
The practice of abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, which helps Catholics grow in holiness and honour Jesus' sacrifice. By abstaining from meat on Fridays, Catholics show their solidarity with generations of believers for whom this practice was an integral part of their faith, especially during times of persecution and poverty.
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The Latin Church still observes Friday abstinence, but other churches may choose another form of penance
Abstinence from meat on Fridays is one of the oldest Christian traditions. The practice can be traced back to Genesis, where God's first command to the first human being was one of abstinence. The day of the crucifixion has been observed as a day of abstinence from meat to honour Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.
In November 1966, the U.S. bishops released American Catholics from the strict obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent. This was done under the authority given to them by the Pope to make decisions concerning abstinence. The Latin Church still observes Friday abstinence as per universal law, but many national bishops' conferences, including the U.S. bishops, make exceptions, permitting Catholics to choose another form of penance instead.
The understanding among American Catholics is that abstinence from meat on Fridays outside of Lent is optional as long as they "substitute something else" in its place. This is because the U.S. bishops expressed the "hope" and "expectation" that "the Catholic community will ordinarily continue to abstain from meat by free choice".
The bishops of the United States have determined that outside of the Fridays of Lent, Catholics may choose to substitute another penance that is particularly meaningful to them, although they continue to recommend abstinence on all Fridays for Catholics. This is in line with the belief that all Catholics are required to do some sort of penance, and that abstinence from meat is not the sole prescribed means of observing Friday.
While the Latin Church still officially observes Friday abstinence, other churches may choose another form of penance, as determined by their respective episcopal conferences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics in the United States are not required to abstain from meat on Fridays. However, Catholics worldwide are obliged to observe Fridays as a day of penance.
Abstinence is a form of asceticism, or self-denial, to grow in holiness. Abstaining from meat on Fridays is a way to honour Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday.
Yes, Catholics also abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent.
Yes, Catholics are also encouraged to abstain from dairy products and eggs on Fridays, as these "come from flesh".
