Category: Lent

According to Canon Law, fasting on Ash Wednesday is required for Catholics aged 18 to 59, and it involves specific limitations on food intake. Knowing what counts as a meal on Ash Wednesday is essential for those observing the solemn day of repentance and penance.

According to the Code of Canon Law, all Fridays of the year and the season of Lent are considered days of penance in the universal Church. For many Christians, this includes making sacrifices, often involving food, which raises the question of whether popular desserts like ice cream are permissible during this solemn time.

Dating back to the earliest centuries of Christianity, abstaining from meat on Fridays was established as a form of penance to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion, which for many begs the question: why is fish allowed but not meat on Fridays?

The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is a centuries-old Catholic tradition, leading many to wonder about the specifics. The answer to 'Are Catholics allowed to eat seafood?' is a resounding 'yes.' This distinction, rooted in historical context and canonical law, makes aquatic life a staple for many on days of penance and fasting.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), liquid foods made from meat, such as chicken broth, are not technically forbidden on days of Lenten abstinence. This guideline, however, often causes confusion among the faithful navigating official Church teaching versus traditional practices.

According to the Greek Orthodox Church, Clean Monday marks the official beginning of the Great Lent. This significant movable feast involves specific spiritual and dietary restrictions for believers as they begin a period of cleansing and repentance. Adherence to these rules is a way to prepare both body and soul for Easter.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, abstinence from meat is required on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent for Catholics aged 14 and older. However, this abstinence applies only to the flesh of warm-blooded animals, allowing seafood like shrimp to be a popular and compliant meal option.