One of the most difficult things for a young SMF to grasp when growing up was the ‘meatless Friday’. Eating fish wasn’t difficult really once you got into the routine. At home, the responsibility of the meatless meals fell on Mom. We just ate it. It did become a habit for you & your family at mealtime, but when we were young it seemed to set your a world apart from others.
It was only when we tried to explain it to others that it seemed complicated. Actually lots of people didn’t eat meat on Fridays, we just didn’t know it. To explain why we couldn’t eat meat must have been fascinating to an adult and frustrating to a nun. “We offer it up to God.” “ It’s a fast.” “I dunno, but we can’t eat hot dogs, bologna, meatloaf, hamburgers or meatballs.” “Fish is what Jesus ate.” “ I’m Catholic and we eat fish on Fridays.” “Tuna fish is better.” “Do we have to eat fish?” “Can I skip the vegetables too?” “Did Jesus eat vegetables?” “I don’t remember all the rules.” “It’s a sin, I think, but a smaller sin than fighting with your brother.” “Can I just have tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich?” “Do we have to go to confession if we eat meat on Fridays?” “Does it count if we offer it up to the kids in poor countries?”
I believed that all PSKs ate hot dogs. The concept of PSKs eating fish on Fridays didn’t enter my mind till I was much older. “So that’s why there’s so many people getting fish & chips on a Friday night!” The questionable pieces finally got pulled together in my head. Thank heaven!
Cathy
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One friend of mine says that fish was required on Friday so the Mediterranean fisherman could make a living. In about the 14th century the Pope gave permanent exemption from abstinence to the Spaniards and all their descendants because they were trying to drive out the Muslims. This means that Mexican have never heard of abstinent Fridays..
When Vatican II in the 60s or 70s did away with meatless Fridays, my mother and I both said we would continue the tradition anyway. I lasted about two weeks until I realized company was coming the next Friday ...
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