Q & A: Are We to Abstain from Meat on Fridays Outside of Lent?

Halleluia! We may say that with great joy in continuation of celebrating this Easter season, because of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But we may also say, “Halleluia,” with relief. Having just completed the remainder of our Lenten abstinence and our fast on Good Friday a few weeks ago, perhaps we can breathe a sigh of relief since we don’t have to do that again for another year. Whew! It’s as if we just finished a long hike or an afternoon’s worth of work in the garden as we wipe our brow. Just put the lenten fast and abstinence on the shelf for now, and take them back down again (like the Easter decorations) when Lent comes along next year. Right? Not quite…

First, what are the obligations for fasting and abstinence? In regards to abstinence, Catholics over the age of 14 are to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent. Catholics who are between the ages of 18-59 are called to fast during Lent on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

What does the Church say about fasting and abstinence from meat on Fridays outside of Lent? Prior to Pope Paul VI’s letter, Paenitemini: The Apostolic Constitution on Penance as well as the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Statement On Penance And Abstinence, both of which were published in 1966, Catholics were obligated to abstain from meat every Friday in and outside of Lent. Was the obligation abolished as many may think? No. Instead, Pope Paul VI changed the fasting requirement in Paenitemini. He recommended that fasting be appropriate to the local economic situation, and that all Catholics voluntarily fast and abstain. He further recommended that fasting and abstinence be replaced with prayer and works of charity “in countries where the standard of living is lower,” although the norms for doing so were to be set down by the Episcopal Conferences (bishops’ conferences in each country; i.e. U.S. Bishops). In essence what Pope Paul VI did was relax a discipline of the Church that allowed us more choices for penance rather than just the strict abstinence from meat on Fridays outside of Lent.

Due to those two documents, along with the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the Catholic Church DOES NOT specifically require or demand that we fast or abstain from meat on Fridays outside of Lent. Rather, she asks from all of us that Fridays outside of Lent be days of penance. What does that mean? It means that we have the option on this penitential day of the week to abstain from meat, for example, do a charitable work, give alms, or perform some other form of penance like prayer. Why? It is in the spirit of every Friday during the year to recall the death of our Lord, the sacrifice he made personally for you and me and our sins. Just as Jesus denied himself food and drink, we can at least deny ourselves something very small and make a sacrifice. Just because the Stations of Cross are no longer prayed in Church every Friday outside of Lent, doesn’t mean that it’s over until next Lent. You and I can continue to carry the cross like Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus (Mk. 15:21), and celebrate the Stations of the Cross ourselves or with others on future Fridays over the next year. On these upcoming Fridays that will lead us next year into Lent, let us be people who recall Jesus’ Passion and Death on Fridays with hearts of gratitude, pray during the 3:00 hour of mercy in which he died, or make some small act of penance as the Church asks in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Calvary.

By living out these values consistently throughout the year, it won’t be a surprise next year when Lent arrives. The cross won’t be so heavy with abstinence and fasting, because Jesus will help us carry it just as we did for him on all the Fridays throughout the year. Being that we are in the Easter season, this doesn’t have to be an emotionally negative experience either. We can do it with Easter joy in our hearts, which will take us right into Pentecost on June 4th. The short answer to the original question is that we are to make all Fridays outside of Lent, days of penance. Are we specifically obligated to abstain from meat? No. Are we let off scott-free?No. That penance may include abstinence, an act of charity, or prayer. May we not do it with frustration or burden, but in imitation of Jesus, do it with love and Easter joy! Amen.

– Fr. Jeff

Resources:
1. 1983 Code of Canon Law: Chapter 2 – “Days of Penance,” #s 1249-1253
2. “Fast & Abstinence,” by the U.S. Bishops
3. Paenitemini – The Apostolic Constitution on Penance: Fast and Abstinence (1966), by Pope Paul VI
4. Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence (1966), by the U.S. Bishops

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan