36 replies to this topic

[MissyP89]

So we're not supposed to eat meat on Friday, ever. I was never taught this growing up and I doubt most others learned it in religious ed, either. (In England and Wales, it's binding under pain of mortal sin.)

In America, if we can't abstain from meat, we should substitute it with some other penance or act of piety.

For a lot of complicated reasons, it's best for me to eat meat on Fridays. So I'm trying to figure out something else to do.

Any suggestions?

Hoping this doesn't open up a can of worms,
M

[Lil Red]

Can you fast?

Or try to do one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy.

[MissyP89]

No, I can't fast either. The spiritual works of mercy were what I was leaning toward but I wasn't sure if it "counted." This stuff is frustrating.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

Maybe giving up technology on Fridays or doing something you like?

[MissScripture]

I usually say a rosary or a chaplet of Divine Mercy if I "need" to eat meat (ie. I am a guest at someone's house or I forget ) I think my mom often tries to do an hour of adoration or goes to daily Mass as an alternative, though I know that may not be sn option for you.

[Papist]

Cold shower.
No sugar in your coffee...or no coffee at all
No TV
Say a rosary
Call 3 people and give each a compliment. e.g. how much you appreciate his/her friendship or how he/she inspires you.
Bring flowers to a nursing home

[maximillion]

Be friendly with someone who you don't find it easy to be with.

[Lil Red]

No, I can't fast either. The spiritual works of mercy were what I was leaning toward but I wasn't sure if it "counted." This stuff is frustrating.

it counts.

[Slappo]

If I have to eat meat or have some sort of party/potluck where it may be rude of me not to, then I substitute with a rosary.

As always, those pregnant, nursing, elderly, those with medical conditions, and the sick are not bound to this abstinence.

I'd be curious as to where you get that it would be a mortal sin. I don't recall it being specified that failure to abstain is considered grave matter. Honest curiosity as I've heard other people say it was too, but I've never seen anything concrete on the matter.

Edited by Slappo, 22 June 2012 - 02:08 PM.

[fides' Jack]

It was a pretty strict rule for me growing up. I never understood why most Catholics just ignore it. Of course, the vast majority here are not your typical Catholics.

[MissScripture]

It was a pretty strict rule for me growing up. I never understood why most Catholics just ignore it. Of course, the vast majority here are not your typical Catholics.

I would guess most Catholics don't know that its still a rule. I went to Catholic school my entire life and didn't know until COLLEGE that I was supposed to abstain from meat on all Fridays and I didn't learn it at my (Catholic) college. I found out about it because my parents did, and started abstaining from meat on Fridays. Growing up, school lunches didn't even have a non-meat option unless it was a Friday in Lent.

ETA: The first time I heard about it from a priest was at John Paul's baptismal prep, otherwise, I've never even heard a priest talking about it. So, while it's sad that this is the state of our catechesis, I don't really blame most Catholics for not abstaining from meat on Fridays, as they were never taught they were supposed to.

[fides' Jack]

I would guess most Catholics don't know that its still a rule. I went to Catholic school my entire life and didn't know until COLLEGE that I was supposed to abstain from meat on all Fridays and I didn't learn it at my (Catholic) college. I found out about it because my parents did, and started abstaining from meat on Fridays. Growing up, school lunches didn't even have a non-meat option unless it was a Friday in Lent.

ETA: The first time I heard about it from a priest was at John Paul's baptismal prep, otherwise, I've never even heard a priest talking about it. So, while it's sad that this is the state of our catechesis, I don't really blame most Catholics for not abstaining from meat on Fridays, as they were never taught they were supposed to.

Excellent post! I couldn't agree more.

[tinytherese]

3 Hail Mary's for the Souls in Purgatory

[Spem in alium]

So we're not supposed to eat meat on Friday, ever. I was never taught this growing up and I doubt most others learned it in religious ed, either. (In England and Wales, it's binding under pain of mortal sin.)

In America, if we can't abstain from meat, we should substitute it with some other penance or act of piety.

For a lot of complicated reasons, it's best for me to eat meat on Fridays. So I'm trying to figure out something else to do.

Any suggestions?

Hoping this doesn't open up a can of worms,
M

I was never taught this either and only recently discovered that it's still a rule. The rest of my family continue to eat meat on Fridays, but my mother is very considerate and will make meatless meals for me if I can't do so myself.

I think the advice suggested already is great. Discern your capabilities and your strengths. Prayer, Mass, Adoration, abstaining from another food or from something pleasurable you normally do, going out of your way to do something for someone else, Scripture reading...I think they're all beneficial and suitable acts of penance. God bless!

[Slappo]

3 Hail Mary's for the Souls in Purgatory

i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...

[Lil Red]

i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...

So you're the arbiter of what prayer is appropriate?

[Deus_te_Amat]

i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence...

Funny how, to most priests, those 60 seconds of prayer are a suitable penance for a soiled soul.

[cmariadiaz]

I go through a horrible time at Lent ... I have blood sugar issues, so not eating meat exasperates that. I also have a fish allergy.

I make a valiant attempt at keeping the abstinence and fast(on fast days) during Lent, but this Lent when I was on retreat the retreat director actually said "do what you can" (on Good Friday) because you're going through enough penance as it is (I was -- it was gut wrenching stuff that I was dealing with).

Outside of Lent -- I really don't worry about it. Besides, being next to a person who is eating fish (tuna especially, which I still would love to eat) is penance enough.

Edited by cmariadiaz, 23 June 2012 - 08:19 PM.

[Strictlyinkblot]

My mother used to get very upset that she couldn't fast on bread and water but she's an insulin dependent diabetic so that would just be a ticket to the hospital. As the others have said do what you can. Could you fit in an hour (or 30, 20, even 10 minutes) adoration? Offer up your frustrations to God and ask Him if he has any suggestions for a penance. I'm sure He'll find a way to enlighten you.

[To Jesus Through Mary]

Skip a meal,
no snacking (although temperance isn't really penance.)
Stations of the Cross
No salt or seasoning in your food
No internet
Reduce your sleep
Sleep on the floor
No A/C for a few hours
And like the others are saying, it is always great to go out of your way to be kind to someone who drives you crazy.

Most of us pretty much know which passions need to be mortified. So you can always find a way to work on that. When in doubt speak with your confessor or spiritual director if you have one.