Tag: Friday penance

The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays dates back to the earliest centuries of Christianity, a practice rooted in penance and the commemoration of Christ's sacrifice. This long-standing Catholic tradition raises a common question: why can Catholics eat fish on Fridays but not meat?

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), liquid foods made from meat, like chicken broth, are not technically forbidden during periods of abstinence. This clarification answers the question: does chicken broth count as meat on Friday? for many observers, though it's still important to understand the spiritual intent behind the tradition.