Aside from giving up something, those that observe Lent will also be spending the next seven Fridays whipping out those fish recipes and abstain from eating meat.
Lent, which typically is the time period from Ash Wednesday through Easter, is meant to be observed with self-sacrifice, prayer and other religious activities leading up to Easter, and one of the rituals is not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent.
A 2017 Lifeway Research survey found that 43% of people who attend church services at least once a month said they observe Lent, including 82% of Catholics who regularly attend services and 30% of Protestants.
Those who observe often cook seafood or attend fish fries to eat. Its even the reason why McDonalds Filet-O-Fish exists. However, the rules of what people are allowed to eat can get confusing.
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Good Friday is one of the most sacred days on the Catholic calendar. It marks the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died for our sins. To honor his sacrifice, Catholics observe certain fasting rules on Good Friday, including abstaining from eating meat. But does turkey count as meat under Catholic doctrine? Let’s take a closer look at the guidance around meat consumption on this solemn holy day.
Why Do Catholics Fast on Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and marks the conclusion of Holy Week in the Catholic faith. It is one of only two mandatory fasting and abstinence days for Catholics, along with Ash Wednesday.
On Good Friday, Catholics age 18 to 59 must fast, meaning they can only eat one full meatless meal for the day. Two smaller meatless snacks are allowed if needed to maintain strength, but should not equal a full meal. All Catholics age 14 and up must also abstain from meat on Good Friday.
Fasting and abstaining from meat is a form of penance and self-denial in remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death. By making small sacrifices ourselves, we unite with Jesus’ suffering on the cross.
What Counts as Meat Under Catholic Law?
Under current Catholic doctrine, abstaining from meat on Good Friday means refraining from consuming the flesh meat of warm-blooded land animals This includes beef, pork, chicken, turkey, deer, buffalo and other mammals and birds
However, meat derivatives like milk, eggs, cheese, cream and butter are permitted. Gelatin, meat broths and meat gravies are also allowed. Fish and shellfish do not count as meat, so they can be eaten as well.
Is Turkey Considered Meat on Good Friday?
Yes, turkey is off limits on Good Friday for Catholics. While fish like tuna, salmon and cod are fine to eat, poultry including chicken, turkey, duck and other birds count as meat.
This means traditional Thanksgiving centerpieces like roasted turkey, turkey cutlets turkey sandwiches turkey bacon and any other dishes containing turkey meat are prohibited during Good Friday fasting.
Turkey broth, turkey gravy and other meat byproducts are technically allowed, but some Catholics may choose to avoid them on principle.
What Are Some Good Meatless Meals for Good Friday?
Despite the meat restriction, Catholics have many delicious options for meals on Good Friday:
- Seafood dishes like baked salmon, shrimp scampi or fried cod
- Vegetarian soups and chilis
- Egg or cheese sandwiches
- Salads topped with hardboiled eggs or tuna
- Meatless pastas with marinara sauce or roasted vegetables
- Cheese or vegetable pizzas
- Bean and rice burritos with guacamole
- Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup
- Macaroni and cheese
- Veggie frittatas and omelets
- Bean and lentil stews or chilies
Many traditional Good Friday meals feature seafood like fish tacos, tilapia with rice pilaf or lobster ravioli Simple meals of soup and bread also recall Jesus’ last supper With a little creativity, Catholic families can enjoy satisfying meat-free meals as they reflect on the deeper meaning of Christ’s sacrifice.
What If You Mistakenly Eat Meat on Good Friday?
If you inadvertently consume meat on Good Friday, don’t panic. The Church recognizes that mistakes happen, especially if you forgot it was a fasting day. The key is making a good faith effort to follow the abstinence requirement.
However, Catholics who knowingly and deliberately eat meat without an exemption commit a mortal sin, according to Church doctrine. The proper thing to do is confess this transgression at your next Confession and do penance. Talk to your priest if you have questions.
Are There Any Exemptions from Good Friday Fasting?
The Catholic Church excuses certain groups from fasting and abstinence obligations for health reasons. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the ill are not required to fast, although they are encouraged to avoid meat. Those performing heavy physical labor may also be excused.
Catholics who have health conditions requiring meat in their diet can speak to their priest about an exception. But for most Catholics, fasting on Good Friday is an important tradition honoring Christ’s sacrifice. Avoiding meat for just one day can deepen our faith if we offer it up with the right spirit.
Frequency of Entities:
[good friday] : 11 times
[catholic] : 10 times
[meat] : 10 times
[fasting] : 5 times
[abstain] : 4 times
[abstaining] : 2 times
[turkey] : 7 times
[eat] : 6 times
[fish] : 3 times
[meals] : 2 times
[soup] : 1 time
[bread] : 1 time
[last supper] : 1 time
[sandwiches] : 2 times
[eggs] : 2 times
[cheese] : 2 times
[milk] : 1 time
[broths] : 1 time
[gravies] : 1 time
[gelatin] : 1 time
[shellfish] : 1 time
[duck] : 1 time
[bacon] : 1 time
[dishes] : 1 time
[principle] : 1 time
[seafood] : 1 time
[salmon] : 1 time
[shrimp scampi] : 1 time
[cod] : 1 time
[vegetarian] : 1 time
[chilis] : 1 time
[marinara] : 1 time
[vegetables] : 1 time
[frittatas] : 1 time
[omelets] : 1 time
[lentil stews] : 1 time
[chilies] : 1 time
[lobster ravioli] : 1 time
[deliberately] : 1 time
[confession] : 1 time
[penance] : 1 time
[exemptions] : 1 time
[exempts] : 1 time
[encouraged] : 1 time
[labor] : 1 time
[exception] : 1 time
[deepen our faith] : 1 time
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What is the meaning of not eating meat?
Abstaining from eating meat reflects the life of Jesus Christ.
“Since Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday, we refrain from eating flesh meat in his honor on Fridays,” the Archdiocese said.
Johnston adds refraining from eating meat is a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
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Why can’t you eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
It wasnt that long ago when Catholic Church law said worshipers werent allowed to eat meat on Fridays at all, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as it was in place until 1966.
“Thats when Catholics started eating meat on Friday, because it wasnt strictly forbidden anymore,” William Johnston, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, told USA TODAY.
In 1983, the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church revised the rule to where meat wasnt allowed to be eaten on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the Archdiocese says, adding the U. S. Catholic Conference of Bishops extended the law to include all Fridays during Lent.
Children and elderly people are usually exempt from fasting and giving up meat.
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Good Question: Do Catholics still have to abstain from eating meat on Fridays?
FAQ
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