Grace Thompson
Catholic fish fries are meals served by Catholic churches during Lent, the 40-day period when Catholics remember Jesus's 40-day fast and resistance of temptation. As Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays, some churches host fish fries on Fridays during Lent, offering meals that typically include fried fish, seafood, and sides like French fries, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. These events often serve as fundraisers for parish activities and charitable causes. While the tradition of fish on Fridays has declined, it is still observed by some Catholics during Lent, and fish fries remain a custom in certain Catholic communities, particularly in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA |
| Dates | March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11 |
| Time | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. |
| Price | $12-$15 per plate, $1-$8 for sides, $3 for drinks |
| Food | Fried fish, shrimp, crab, mac and cheese, fries, salads, desserts |
| Payment methods | Venmo, credit, debit, cash |
| Contact | (504) 242-8820, (985) 892-2422, (985) 233-1009, (504) 487-2412 |
| Location | Diocese of Grand Rapids |
| Dates | March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11 |
| Time | 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. |
| Price | $12-$15 per adult, $6-$10 per child, $45 per family |
| Food | Fried fish, shrimp, mac and cheese, fries, salads, desserts |
| Archdiocese of Cincinnati | Lenten Fish Fry |
| Dates | Ash Wednesday, February 18; Good Friday, April 3; Easter Sunday, April 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic fish fries during Lent
For Catholics, Lent is a 40-day period that commemorates Jesus' 40-day fast and resistance to temptation. During this time, Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays, except for fish. In the United States, Catholic dioceses often host "Fish Fries" on Fridays during Lent, where they cook and serve meals to their communities. These events are popular among Catholics, especially during the Lenten season.
While the tradition of Fish Fries is more prevalent in the US, there are also mentions of similar practices in other parts of the world, such as in Orthodox communities. However, some sources indicate that the practice of observing meatless Fridays or Lent as a whole is declining, especially among younger Catholics.
Fish Fries typically involve frying various types of fish and serving them with side dishes like French fries, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and other Lenten-appropriate foods. These events are often organized by parishes, schools, or Knights of Columbus Councils within the diocese. They usually take place on Fridays during Lent, excluding Good Friday.
> "Hand-battered fried cod or baked cod, mac & cheese, French fries, baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, and cornbread along with juice, water, and coffee. Dessert is $1, and proceeds support the St. Mary Council of Catholic Women."
The Archdiocese of New Orleans also hosts a series of Friday Fish Fries during Lent, with different parishes participating on different dates. For example, St. Peter in Covington serves "Louisiana shrimp and Mississippi farm-raised catfish dinners with fries, a roll, and a choice of potato salad or coleslaw" on select Fridays during Lent.
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History of fish on Fridays
The practice of eating fish on Fridays in the Catholic Church has a long and complex history. While it is not a requirement to eat fish, the abstinence rule states that Catholics must abstain from eating meat on Fridays, with the idea that they would instead eat vegetables and grains. However, people began to eat fish as a replacement for meat, as it was considered fair game since fish are cold-blooded water-dwelling creatures.
The practice of fasting and abstaining from certain foods is an ancient one, present in many religions. Christians have been fasting and abstaining from certain foods since the beginning, as it is believed to make Jesus' words in Deuteronomy more real: "One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God".
The tradition of eating fish on Fridays specifically dates back to the first century AD, when Jesus died on a Friday. People fasted on Fridays to commemorate this sacrifice. As the number of meatless days on the medieval Christian calendar increased, the consumption of fish grew. Fish fasting days became central to the growth of the global fishing industry.
In the context of immigration to the United States, as the incomes of immigrants from Catholic countries rose, they could afford more meat in their diets. They substituted fish for meat on Fridays to comply with the rules of their faith, leading to the tradition of the Friday night fish fry. Restaurants began offering Friday fish fries as an inexpensive way for Catholic families to dine out while adhering to their religious beliefs.
The tradition of eating fish on Fridays continued to influence global economics well into the 20th century. When Pope Paul VI loosened the fasting rules in the 1960s, US fish prices dropped significantly. Today, many people continue to eat fish on Fridays, regardless of their religious beliefs, due to the health benefits of seafood.
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Typical foods served
Fish fries are a tradition in the Catholic community during Lent, when abstinence from meat is observed. Typically, fish fries are held on Fridays, with some events also taking place on Wednesdays. While the specific foods served at Catholic fish fries can vary depending on location and availability, there are several common dishes that are often part of the menu.
Fried fish is, of course, the centerpiece of a Catholic fish fry. This can include a variety of fish types, such as cod, catfish, perch, pollock, pike perch, tilapia, shrimp, and crab cakes. The fish is typically battered and deep-fried, with the batter consisting of cornmeal, milk or buttermilk, and seasonings.
Side dishes often served alongside the fried fish include French fries, potato pancakes, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, green beans, and baked beans. In some cases, hush puppies (deep-fried, seasoned corn dumplings) are also served as a side dish or appetizer.
Other dishes that may be offered at Catholic fish fries include mac and cheese, cheese grits, grilled cheese, tater tots, jalapeno poppers, and various types of bread, such as dinner rolls, garlic bread, or rye bread. Desserts are also commonly available, such as cake, cookies, or pie.
Beverages may include lemonade, water, and sometimes alcoholic drinks like beer or wine for purchase.
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Locations and dates for 2025
New Orleans, LA
- Paul the Apostle, 6828 Chef Menteur Hwy: March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- St. Peter, 125 E. 19th Ave., Covington: March 7, 14, 21; April 4, 11, 5:30–7 p.m.
- St. Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Council 50, 1923 St. Philip St.: March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- St. Philip Neri, 500 Kawanee Avenue, Metairie: March 21, 5–7:30 p.m. for drive-thru, 5–8 p.m. for dine-in, and 4:30 p.m. for early bird aged 65+.
- All Saints Catholic Church, 300 Ptolemy, New Orleans (Algiers): March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4 & 11.
- Annunciation Catholic Church, 517 Avenue B, Bogalusa: March 7 & 21 and April 4, 3–8 p.m.
- Archbishop Rummel High School, 1901 Severn Ave., Metairie: March 14, 21, & 28 and April 4 from 3 p.m. until sold out.
- Ascension of Our Lord, 1809 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace: March 5 and Fridays of Lent, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Joan of Arc, 346 Fir St., LaPlace (KC Hall): Every Lenten Friday except Good Friday, 3–7 p.m.
- St. John the Baptist, 11345 St. John Church Road, Folsom (Jonathan Hall): March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 4–7 p.m.
- Benedict, 20370 Smith Road, Covington: March 14, 28 and April 11 from 4–7 p.m.
- St. Benilde, 1901 Division St., Metairie: Dine-in March 7, 21; drive-thru April 4, 11; 5 p.m. for pre-orders, 5:30 p.m. for walk-ups.
- St. Bernard, 2805 Bayou Road, St. Bernard: Fridays in Lent from March 7 to April 11, 5–8 p.m.
Central Minnesota
- Isanti: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 207 Whiskey Road NW, Isanti.
- Mora: St. Mary Parish.
- Onamia: Holy Cross Parish Center.
- Princeton: Princeton-Zimmerman Knights of Columbus Council 8571.
- Alexandria: St. Mary Parish/St. Mary’s School gym.
- Braham: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish.
- Brooten: The Ka De Shack.
- Foley: Emmaus Trinity Center in St. John Church.
- Gilman: Sts. Peter and Paul Parish.
- St. Joseph: Sal’s Bar & Grill.
- Staples: Sacred Heart Parish.
- Upsala: St. Mary Parish.
- Waite Park: St. Joseph Parish.
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Catholic fish fries in the US vs. Europe
In the United States, Catholic fish fries are a tradition that began in the 1920s and 1930s, during the Prohibition era. Pubs, unable to sell beer, turned to fried fish dinners as a profitable source of income. This tradition is particularly prominent in Wisconsin, where German Catholics, who constitute a large proportion of the population, enjoy fishing. The fish fry has since spread across the nation, especially in areas with significant Catholic populations.
During Lent, the Catholic Church requires its members to abstain from eating meat on Fridays, and fish is considered a substitute. In the US, Catholic dioceses cook meals for people on Fridays during Lent, which are known as "Fish Fries". These meals typically include crab cakes, cod, shrimp, French fries, pierogis, mac and cheese, and grits.
In Europe, the tradition of Catholic fish fries is not as prevalent. While some European countries, such as Finland, Denmark, and Belgium, have a strong secular culture, others like Poland have a significant Catholic population. However, even in Catholic institutions like schools and hospitals, serving fish on Fridays is more of a tradition than a religious requirement.
Some Europeans continue the tradition of eating fish on Fridays for religious reasons, while others, like atheists, have adopted it as a weekly culinary custom. However, the practice of fish fries as a communal event during Lent, as seen in the US, is not mentioned in the European context.
Overall, while both the US and Europe have traditions surrounding fish consumption on Fridays during Lent, the specific practice of Catholic fish fries appears to be more prevalent and culturally significant in the United States, especially in areas with strong Catholic and German influences.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic fish fries start during Lent, the 40-day period when Catholics remember Jesus’s 40-day fast and resistance of temptation.
During Lent, Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on Fridays and instead eat fish.
Many Catholic parishes and dioceses host fish fries during Lent, especially on Fridays. Check with your local parish or diocese for specific dates, times, and locations.
