Topic: Why is there a prohibition against eating meat on Fridays?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 5, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: Fr. Robert

Question:   Where does the prohibition against eating meat on Fridays come from? Is it a celebration of the Lord creating fish and bread or is it something else? Thank you:)

Answer: 

Frances,

Thank you for your question. It is good to learn about the history of our traditions.

Scripture has many references to the spiritual importance of fasting. Abstaining from meat is a form of fasting. The only Scripture reference that comes to mind for me that explicitly mentions not eating meat is Daniel 10:1: "I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth."

Why Fridays? Because that is the day the Lord died. Today, many Catholics abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent, not all Fridays. It is still good to do something special every Friday, and lots of Catholics choose not to eat meat on any Friday. There is a special emphasis during Lent on the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you go to the FAQ section of Q and A, under Catholic Practices, you will find a list of current Lenten regulations in regards to fasting and abstaining.

A little more on the history... The main thing to remember is that fasting has always been considered an important spiritual practice, but the details of how, when, etc. has changed often over the centuries. At one time, bread and water were the only foods allowed during Lent. Pope Saint Gregory the Great(540-594)wrote, "We abstain from flesh meat and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese, and eggs." Today, we can eat milk, cheese and eggs on Fridays of Lent. Pope Nicholas I (858-867) made official the decree to abstain from meat.

Historically, meat was a luxury item for many people. Today in our country it is common. I think it is important that we obey the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law. This means, I propose, that we should not eat a fifty dollar lobster meal on the Fridays of lent.

Hope that helps and have a blessed Advent.

Father Robert