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Joseph B's avatar

This would have been a great time to talk about the Cannon 1251 and how it states "every Friday" and how the 1966 Pastoral Statement on Abstinence and Fasting limited that to during Lent. I was unaware of this before that, although we are not required to abstain from meat, we are required to do some kind of penitential act every friday, per the pastoral statement. I think that might be a good thing to add! Great article as always though, I truly appreciate the Pillar!

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Capital Traffic Czar's avatar

To be sure I would personally at least participate in a Friday evening vigil Mass for St. Joseph or Evening Prayer I (combined with a vigils Office of Readings in the evening) before I would begin to shoehorn fasting requirement considerations into my liturgical day. To me, the question of whether one can eat meat on Friday (during Lent or not) in light of liturgical celebrations is whether we are actually in the spirit of the day itself. Rejoicing about being able to eat a burger during basketball is not exactly honouring St. Joseph or the solemnity of the occasion. Honouring the Saint, participating in the holiness and sanctity of the liturgical day and "feasting" by breaking a fast is the key I think.

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