Can You Eat Eggs on Fridays During Lent

"What tin can you eat during Lent?"

If you're like many Catholics, it's a question yous ask yourself year after twelvemonth.

After all, you want to follow the Catholic Lent fasting rules, simply y'all ever need a little refresher to assistance you recollect what they are.

"Tin yous eat chicken during Lent?"

"Can you consume eggs for Lent?"

"Can Catholics eat meat on Ash Wed?"

"What CAN Catholics consume during Lent???"

Don't worry, I completely empathise. It'south a lot to remember.

Growing up Protestant, my family never celebrated Lent. And as a outcome, I never knew very much virtually it. I had NO idea how to answer the question, "What tin you lot eat on Fridays during Lent?"

And then, when I married into a Cosmic family who DOES follow all of the Catholic Lent rules, I had a lot of learning to practice–and quick!

Unfortunately for me, I found the procedure of trying to figure out all the Cosmic fasting rules really confusing and frustrating.

I couldn't observe one single comprehensive guide that explains all of the Cosmic Lent rules in an easy-to-understand way.

All the articles I found were confusing, full of jargon, or they merely explained i specific question regarding the Catholic Lent fasting rules.

For case, I wasn't sure what "Cosmic fasting" entailed… Did it mean I couldn't eat anything all day? Or simply certain things?

And when I first heard Catholics were supposed to exercise "fasting and forbearance," I thought "Oh goodness. Not simply can nosotros not consume meat, but we can't accept sex activity either??" (Don't worry, that's not a thing)

Thankfully, I did eventually effigy out what you tin swallow during Lent. And once I did, I knew I had to write that comprehensive guide I wish I'd had when I was beginning trying to learn all the Cosmic Lent rules so many years ago.

So whether yous're a lifelong Catholic who simply needs a bit of help remembering the details, you're a make new Cosmic trying to learn all the Catholic fasting rules for the offset time, or y'all're not Cosmic at all–just curious–I hope you lot find this mail helpful.

Consider this postal service your i-stop comprehensive guide to ALL the Cosmic Lent Fasting Rules you need to know.

Let'due south dive in.

*Related: What to Give Up for Lent: Go the 50 Best Lent Ideas

"What Can Yous Eat During Lent 2022?" Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Cheat Canvas

Past the manner… Want an easy manner to remember all the Cosmic fasting rules?

Impress out this "What Can You Swallow During Lent" crook canvass and hang information technology on your refrigerator!

It's free, piece of cake, and it really works.(In fact, I print this sheet out and put it on my fridge every single year to help me retrieve.)

I'd exist happy to electronic mail information technology to you besides.

Simply enter your proper noun and email in the boxes below, and I'll send it right over, forth with some other resources I know you'll find actually helpful this year.

Non merely will this "What Can Yous Eat During Lent" cheat sheet aid you lot call up WHAT yous tin can eat and WHEN, only it also serves as a adept reminder then you lot don't forget! ?

(Plus, it even has viii easy Lent meal ideas, perfect for those busy nights when you need dinner in a hurry – score!)

I'd be happy to send 1 your mode. Where should I ship it?

Let'southward dive in…

What are the Catholic Lent Rules (in a nutshell)?

The bones Catholic Lent rules are simple:

1. Fast on Ash Wed and Expert Fri
2. Abstain on Ash Midweek, Expert Friday AND all Fridays during Lent.

Of course, there are many exceptions to these rules, and it helps to know the exact requirements for fasting and abstinence. We'll comprehend these (and all your specific questions) throughout the rest of the article.

What Are Catholic Fasting and Abstinence? (Definitions)

When we talk near Cosmic fasting and abstinence, it helps to know what we're talking about. (Hint: it has nothing to practise with sex.) So, let's start with a few definitions earlier we dive into the official Catholic Lent fasting rules:

Catholic Fasting refers to the practice to eating noticeably less. (You do not have to go without food all day)

Catholic Abstinence (in this context) refers to the practice of choosing not to eat meat, or whatever products that contain pieces of meat.

*Note: Catholics Only practise fasting for Ash Wed and Good Friday and abstinence for Ash Wednesday, Skillful Friday and all Fridays during Lent. On every other twenty-four hour period of the calendar week, Catholics consume like normal (unless they voluntarily chose to also give something up for Lent).

And then here's what that looks like…

Fasting: Consume Less (On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday)

Catholics ages eighteen through 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (Unless a solemnity falls on one of those days)

This means: You tin eat one full meal and two small meals throughout the day, every bit long every bit your full intake is less than two regular meals. Yous do NOT have to go the entire day without eating, but snacking in between these pocket-sized meals is not allowed.

The Catholic Church does brand several exceptions to this requirement, peculiarly in instances were fasting would cause health concerns. These are listed below.

Also interesting to annotation, the United States Briefing of Catholic Bishops besides recommends continuing the Good Friday fast through the next 24-hour interval (Saturday), if possible. However, this exercise is not followed widely.

Abstinence: No Meat (On Ash Wed, Fridays during Lent, and Good Friday)

Catholics ages 14 and older are required to practice abstinence (no meat) on Ash Wed, Fridays during Lent and Proficient Friday. (Unless a solemnity falls on i of those days)

This Catholic "no meat on Fridays" dominion doesn't include all animate being products, however. Merely fleshy meats and products fabricated with pieces of meat. (Not including fish.)

And information technology'due south also important to note: While the official Cosmic Lent Fasting Rules don't mention this explicitly, well-nigh Catholics believe these meals should be simple (an bodily sacrifice, fifty-fifty if modest), rather than an alibi to gorge yourself on delicious lobster or crab. This is mostly left up to personal discretion, however.

Foods You lot Tin Eat During Lent:

• Fish
• Eggs
• Milk products like milk, butter, yogurt or cottage cheese
• Any fruits you similar
• Any vegetables you lot like
• Whatever grains you lot like (such equally noodles, breads, donuts, etc.)

Foods Yous Cannot Eat During Lent:

• Craven
• Beefiness
• Pork
• Ham
• Deer
• Lamb
• Buffalo
• etc.

Cosmic Lenten Fasting Rules Exceptions and Exemptions

For most people, going without meat and eating a picayune less for a few mealsreally isn't that much of a sacrifice. For others, even so, information technology could pose serious wellness problems. If that's you lot, don't worry. The Church does offer enough of exemptions.

For example, the following people are all exempt from fasting and abstaining during Lent:

• Children
• The elderly
• Meaning and nursing mothers
• Those who are delicate
• Individuals of "unsound mind"
• Transmission laborers who need to swallow to have the strength to work
• People who cannot fast or abstain for health reasons
• And even guests whose refusal to swallow would greatly offend their dinner host!

Exercise you qualify for an exemption? If so, the extent to which you participate is between you and God.

Yous and He both know if you truly should be exempt from spiritual fasting or if you are merely trying to get out of it.

And don't forget — even if you can't fast, there are plenty of other things y'all could requite up for Lent instead.

*Related: 40 Short Daily Lenten Prayers for Spiritual Renewal

Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions virtually the Catholic fasting rules:

Q: Can Catholics Swallow Meat on Ash Wed?

No, Catholics tin can eat no meat on Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent or Good Fri.

Furthermore, the rules for Ash Wednesday country that Catholics must also fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Fri equally well.

Q: Can You Eat Craven During Lent?

No, Catholics cannot swallow chicken on Ash Wed, Skillful Friday or Fridays during Lent. This includes craven wings, chicken legs, chicken pot pie, and whatever other dishes made with pieces of craven. Chicken broth is debatable, but may exist okay if strained well (simply the juice remaining).

Catholics may eat chicken on all other days during the Lenten season too as on whatsoever Solemnity.

Q: Can Yous Eat Chicken Stock / Beef Broth / Turkey Gravy During Lent?

There is some disagreement about whether condiments derived from meats (such as chicken stock, beef gravy, etc.) are acceptable since they are fabricated with meat only don't really contain chunks of meat. You volition want to ask your local priest for a definitive respond on this one.

Q: Can You Swallow Eggs for Lent?

Aye, Catholics may swallow eggs for Lent at any time. Eggs are not considered "meat," as they do not come from the fleshy office of the animal.

Q: What Tin can Y'all Consume on Fridays During Lent?

Y'all tin swallow a wide diversity of elementary, meatless meals, such every bit pancakes, eggs, spaghetti, cheese pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salad, vegetable soup, fish, shrimp and more.

In fact, here's a listing of 50 Easy Lent Recipes You'll Love to Make.

Why Practise Catholics Not Eat Meat on Fridays During Lent? What's the Point?

To best explicate this, allow me to use an analogy:

In our house, our boys are not allowed to jump on the piece of furniture. Every bit their parent, I have the authority to brand that rule, and I have for the good of our family. I have good reasons for having this dominion, just that doesn't really matter. As my children, my boys are expected to listen and obey because I am their mother.

Is jumping on the couch inherently incorrect? No. If my neighbor'south kids bound on their couch, is that incorrect? No, not unless their female parent has made the same rule at their house. Is jumping on the couch really that large of a deal? No, non really. But, as my children's mother who is responsible for their well-being, I have the dominance to make the rules for the good of my children equally I see fit.

Information technology'due south the same thing with the Cosmic church and Lent. Is eating meat inherently wrong? No. If non-Catholics don't fast during Lent, is that wrong? No. Is eating meat really a large bargain? No, not actually. Eating meat isn't the issue. It's an issue of obedience to the authorization figures that God has placed over the states.

**And honestly this is the large sticking point–who has the authority? For more on this outcome, please see my post: Who has the Ultimate Potency? A Biblical Look at Sola Scriptura. No matter which style you believe, it's a neat read!

Sure, the church could accept said "Just practice whatsoever you want," but that leaves a lot open up to estimation. (And makes it reallllly easy to be lazy and do nada at all.) By setting actual guidelines (that actually aren't that bad), the church makes it that much likely that people volition actually follow through.

Then Why Can You lot Eat Fish During Lent? Why isn't Fish Considered Meat?

Bated from "Tin You Eat Chicken During Lent?" and "Can You Swallow Eggs for Lent?" one of the most common questions many people take about the Catholic Lent fasting rules is: "Why Tin can You lot Eat Fish During Lent?"

Afterwards all, fish is a meat. And so why isn't fish considered a meat during Lent?

Well, turns out there's no shortage of theories on the matter.

For example, some have suggested that information technology's because fish are cold-blooded (while cows and chickens are warm blooded). Others accept suggested that it's due to the fact that fish used to be mutual, while steaks were rare. Others believe it rule was invented–at least in function–to help the fish economy in the 16th century.

Or perhaps it was a combination of each of these factors and more.

Equally I shared in my other post, "Where is Lent in the Bible?" the Catholic Lent rules and traditions were non handed downwards to u.s.a. in final written grade. Instead, they've gradually evolved over time to meet the needs and preferences of the people at the fourth dimension.

We know 1 Corinthians 15:39 tells us, "Not all flesh is the same: People have 1 kind of mankind, animals have some other, birds another and fish another." But information technology doesn't tell u.s. why or why.

Co-ordinate to this article on MentalFloss, "That distinction was possibly taken from Judaism's own dietary restrictions, which separates fleishig (which includes land-locked mammals and fowl) from pareve (which includes fish). Neither the Torah, Talmud, or New Testament clearly explains the rationale behind the divide."

And nosotros also have these words from the famous 13th century theologian and philosopher Saint Thomas Aquinas:

"Fasting was instituted by the Church in social club to bridle the concupiscences of the flesh, which regard pleasures of impact in connectedness with food and sex. Wherefore the Church forbade those who fast to partake of those foods which both afford near pleasure to the palate, and besides are a very great incentive to animalism."

And while nosotros certainly don't concord with everything Aquinas wrote in his Summa Theologiae today, we can likely safely assume that the goals of self-deprival and sacrifice did play a part somehow.

Today, however, most Catholics follow the Catholic fasting rules because we concur that this xl-day flow of reflection, humility, repentance and sacrifice is ultimately good for our spiritual health (and, ultimately, because the church building said so).

What Happens If I Forget and Swallow Meat on a Fri During Lent?

Don't worry. Yous're non going straight to Hell for forgetting to follow Cosmic fasting rules.

As before long as y'all remember, simply stop eating your hamburger, craven wings, etc. immediately and follow the rules the rest of the day. Yous should probably mention it the adjacent time you lot're at confession likewise, but to exist condom. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much.

Fridays Throughout the Year

Many people don't know this, but technically Catholics are supposed to abjure from meat on ALL Fridays (except solemnities) throughout the yr–non but during Lent. Catholics living in America are allowed to substitute a different penance throughout the rest of the year, but fasting and forbearance during Lent is required.

Will you follow the Catholic Lent Fasting Rules this year? What questions exercise yous still have about what you tin can eat during Lent?

Don't Forget Your Catholic Lent Fasting Rules Crook Sail!

I know, that was a lot to remember!

Thankfully, this "What Can You Eat During Lent" cheat sail makes remembering the basics easy and convenient. (And it's seriously cute!)

And I'd be happy to email it to you.

Simply enter your proper name and email in the boxes beneath, and I'll ship it right over, along with some other resources I know you'll discover really helpful this year.

Additional Resources You May Too Like:

Sources for Farther Reading

What is Lent? — Bible Gateway

Can Catholics Eat Meat on Good Fri? — Catholicism.About.com

What Are the Rules for Fasting and Abstinence in the Catholic Church building? — Catholicism.About.com

Is Chicken Meat? And Other Surprising FAQs Virtually Lent — Catholicism.About.com

hitzsposee.blogspot.com

Source: https://equippinggodlywomen.com/homemaking/lenten-eating-guide/

Share this post