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Writer's pictureJonno White

Can You Eat Meat On Fridays And During Lent: Fasting And Abstinence

Updated: Nov 17, 2022

This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14th and ends on Thursday, March 29th. For Catholics, Lent is a time of fasting and abstinence. But what does that mean exactly? And are there any rules or guidelines to follow? Here’s a brief overview of the rules for fasting and abstinence during Lent.

The rules for fasting and abstinence during Lent are as follows:


Fasting is obligatory on all Catholics from age 18 until age 59. Fasting means eating only one full meal per day, and not eating any food between meals. Snacks are allowed, but they should not constitute a full meal.


Abstinence from meat is obligatory on all Catholics who are 14 years of age or older.


Rules for fasting on Ash Wednesday


On Ash Wednesday, the only rule for fasting is to refrain from eating meat. Snacks are allowed, but they should not constitute a full meal.


Rules for fasting on Good Friday


On Good Friday, the only rule for fasting is to refrain from eating meat. Snacks are allowed, but they should not constitute a full meal.


What are the Fridays of Lent?


The Fridays of Lent are days when Catholics are encouraged to perform acts of penance and charity.


Where does church law come from?


Church law comes from the Bible and the teachings of the Catholic Church.


How many days of abstinence?


Church law requires that Catholics aged 14 and older abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.


What impact does it have on animal fat?

Church law does not prohibit eating animal fat.


What are the rules for fasting on Easter Sunday?

On Easter Sunday, the only rule for fasting is to refrain from eating meat. Snacks are allowed, but they should not constitute a full meal.


Why do Catholics do penitential practices?


Catholics do penitential practices to show their love and obedience to God. They also do these practices as a way of making reparation for their own sins and the sins of others.


There are different local customs for Catholics in different parts of the world. For example, some Catholics may choose to fast and abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent, while others may only fast and abstain from meat on Fridays that fall during Lent.


Some Catholics may also choose to perform additional acts of penance and charity on Fridays of Lent.


Who was Pope Paul VI?


Pope Paul VI was the head of the Catholic Church from 1963 until his death in 1978. He was the successor to Pope John XXIII, and he presided over the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).


How long does the season of lent last for?


The season of Lent lasts for 40 days.


What about freshwater species of fish during lent?

Catholics are not required to abstain from eating freshwater species of fish during Lent. However, they are encouraged to perform acts of penance and charity on Fridays instead.


What about cold-blooded animals during lent?


Catholics are not required to abstain from eating cold-blooded animals during Lent. However, they are encouraged to perform acts of penance and charity on Fridays instead.

What is the true meaning of penance?


Penance is the Catholic practice of seeking forgiveness for sins. It is also a way to show repentance and make reparation for sin. Catholics may perform acts of penance, such as fasting and abstinence, as part of their penitential practice.


Why do senior citizens over 60 have different rules for fasting and abstinence?


Church law allows senior citizens over 60 to choose whether they want to fast and abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent, or just on Fridays that fall during Lent. They are also allowed to perform other acts of penance and charity on Fridays instead.


This flexibility is given because senior citizens are more likely to be in poor health, and fasting and abstinence can be difficult for them.


How is the Parish Priest involved in lent?


The Parish Priest is involved in lent by leading the congregation in prayer and by preaching on the spiritual significance of lent. He also helps Catholics to understand and observe the rules for fasting and abstinence.


What is the black fast?

The black fast is a type of fast where Catholics refrain from eating any food, except for water and black coffee. It is considered the most severe type of fast, and it should be performed only for serious reasons.


Who are the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops?


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is a national organization of Catholic bishops in the United States. It was founded in 1966, and it serves as the official representative of the Catholic Church in the United States.

What is Catholicism?

Catholics believe in one God who created the world and all that exists in it. They also believe in the Bible as the authoritative source of religious teachings. Catholics follow Jesus Christ as their personal savior, and they are baptized into the Catholic Church at infancy.


Catholics adhere to seven fundamental beliefs, which are known as the "Seven Theological Principles."


These principles include belief in one God, creator of all things; divine revelation (the Bible is a record of God's revelation to humans); salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; the sacraments (acts of grace that are part of Christian life); the resurrection of the body on Judgment Day; eternal life after death; and stewardship of creation.


Other notes

Chicken broth is an option for you. Make sure you're aware of what animal-derived products you have and such foods as meatless meals. Use your common sense when considering meat gravies and smaller meals.

Pregnant women should do extra research into what needs to be done on lenten Friday and Holy Thursday. By reason of their age, those above the upper age limit of 60 have that flexibility around solid food and red meat. Although you're still encouraged to find a form of penance even if you have chronic illnesses.


Dairy products are one thing moral theologians consider. Things such as meat juices or meat taste can affect fast days. But above it all consider the pain of sin removed through the Easter vigil.


Catholics observe Lent by fasting and abstaining from meat on Fridays. They also perform other acts of penance and charity. There are different local customs for Catholics in different parts of the world, but the basic rules are the same.


=>The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, and it culminates with Easter Sunday, which is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection.


=>Pope Paul VI issued an apostolic constitution called "Paenitemini" in 1966 that outlined the rules for fasting and abstinence during Lent.


=>Senior citizens over 60 are allowed to choose whether they want to fast and abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent, or just on Fridays that fall during Lent.


=>Catholics living in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) area are encouraged to follow the USCCB guidelines for lent. These guidelines state that Catholics should refrain from eating meat on all Fridays during Lent, except for Good Friday.

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