During the liturgical season of Lent, Christians from various denominations choose to refrain from eating meat.
Roman Catholics believe that “all Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.” Furthermore, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that individuals should refrain from eating meat or another food as prescribed by the conference of bishops on Fridays throughout the year, except on solemnities.
According to Christian belief, Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday, making the day penitential.
Abstaining from meat on Fridays may appear straightforward, but it holds a more profound significance, according to Fr. David Paternostro, S.J., a Jesuit priest located in St. Louis.
“By relinquishing something so commonplace that supports us, we can dedicate Fridays to contemplate the significance of Good Friday and its spiritual nourishment,” he expressed.
In this situation, “meat” refers specifically to the flesh and organ meat of mammals and fowl. Broth, lard, and other byproducts are not considered meat consumption, even if they are derived from mammals or fowl.
Additionally, fish is not considered meat during Lenten abstinence. Fish and shellfish, in contrast to mammals and birds, are cold-blooded.
In some regions of the United States, it has become customary for churches to host fish-fry dinners on Fridays during Lent, as fish is an acceptable food during this period.
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Reviving Tradition: The Cultural and Community Bond of the Lenten Fish Fry
Travel Wisconsin reports that the fish fry first arrived in the United States with the arrival of Catholic immigrants from Eastern Europe.
In the Midwest, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York, there are enduring fish-fry traditions due to their significant Catholic immigrant populations.
Usually, the food at a Lenten Friday fish fry is provided at a church hall or another community center, featuring fried (or baked) cod, perch, or similar fish.
Typically, church members prepare and serve the food.
Accompaniments like french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, and macaroni and cheese are frequently served at Lenten fish fries.
Fr. Edward Looney, the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Shawano, Wisconsin, has decided to revive the parish’s fish fry this year to raise funds for the parish and foster a sense of community among his congregation.
“In Wisconsin, many bars offer fish fries all year long,” Looney shared. “I remember going out for fish most Fridays when I was a child.”
In Wisconsin, parish fish fries offer a different option from the usual bar scene during Lent.
Looney mentioned that the majority of parishioners are adhering to the Church’s guidelines regarding abstaining from meat on Fridays.
“If everyone is enjoying fish, why not have it at church to support the parish and its mission,” he added.
Despite the increasing expenses of fish and other groceries, the fish fry is seen as a valuable opportunity for fostering community connections and uniting people of different backgrounds over a shared meal.
Looney’s previous parish halted its yearly fish fry due to the pandemic, but “we felt it was crucial to revive it for the community’s sake.”
The new parish had not hosted a fish fry in quite some time.
“I suggested reintroducing it, partly to raise funds, and also to unite our school and parish communities,” he shared.
Nick Sciarappa, youth minister at St. Luke the Evangelist in Ambridge and Sewickley, Pennsylvania, shared that his parish organizes two fish fries during Lent.
These fish fries support various causes like teen scholarships, teen retreats, and mission trip funding — not to mention calorie intake, he added.
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