Tag: Meatless fridays

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?

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 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.

Dating back to the earliest days of Christianity, the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is a form of penance, commemorating Jesus's sacrifice. This tradition often raises the question: **Why is it okay to eat fish but not meat during Lent?** The answer lies in a centuries-old definition of 'meat' and the symbolic significance of fish within the faith.