MissyP89 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Can you fast? Or try to do one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Maybe giving up technology on Fridays or doing something you like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillion Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Be friendly with someone who you don't find it easy to be with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1340391346' post='2447524'] 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. [/quote] it counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappo Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) 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 June 22, 2012 by Slappo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fides' Jack Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1340397031' post='2447574'] 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. [/quote] 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fides' Jack Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1340404579' post='2447614'] 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. [/quote] Excellent post! I couldn't agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 3 Hail Mary's for the Souls in Purgatory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 [quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1340390400' post='2447519'] 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 [/quote] 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappo Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 [quote name='tinytherese' timestamp='1340490545' post='2448033'] 3 Hail Mary's for the Souls in Purgatory [/quote] i really would not feel like 60 seconds of prayer would be equal to 24 hours of abstinence... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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