Saturday, May 14, 2011

I heard ...

...yesterday about the news on the return of no-meat-on-Fridays.

And it's confirmed today. This is VERY good news - a revival of an authentic Catholic practice which will resonate with everyone. Excellent.

9 comments:

UKViewer said...

I think that this is a step back in time and practice. Fasting and abstinence have their place, but on the basis of their ability to fulfill the criteria.

Thankfully, I am no longer a member of the Catholic Church, so will not be effected. But as a committed vegetarian, I abhor the eating of the flesh of animals or fish by man.

Patricius said...

Some of us never changed!

Malcolm said...

Dunno how it will work for me. I found Lent very hard to keep.

TL said...

I agree with you Joanna- this is excellent news. I think it is entirely appropriate- and good for the soul- for Catholics to mark out Friday in this or another way. And it gives me great joy to hear about the renewed confidence in the Catholic church following the Pope's visit. Viva il Papa!

davideashby said...

I'm pleased that fasting will be coming back, it's biblical, and builds Catholic team morale because we're all going through the same together. I'm sure that this time it will be made very clear that exceptions for people in poor health or operating heavy machinery or driving long distances can and should be made. Hopefully we'll be taught to honour the spirit of the fast too.

Fr Barry Tomlinson said...

I suspect most people have a diet that includes meat, fish, eggs and cheese. If you regard these foods as having equal value and enjoyment, then I cannot see that abstaining from meat on Friday is any sacrifice at all. Why not abstain from fish on Friday, or cheese on Monday?

Malcolm said...

It's not a severe fast, more a symbolic discipline. You go into a restaurant and there's prawn curry, chicken curry and lamb curry. Maybe you would have had prawn curry anyway, but you are not allowed the other two options. It's mainly a token.

Teaghlach said...

Always tried to keep it anyway. I had understood that Catholics were supposed to do something in the way of penance on Fridays, in lieu of abstaining. I don't recall many reminders from the pulpit of that requirement.

Anonymous said...

We went back to meatless Fridays some time ago...that led to blessing our meals in a restaurant ,making a sign of the cross ,and praying quietly out loud

This could be the start of a dangerous trend...lol