During
Holy Week
, one of the most deeply rooted traditions among Catholics is not to eat meat, especially
the so-called red meat,
such as beef. So much so that this goes hand in hand with the custom of eating fish, whose consumption usually increases during these dates. But
why don't you eat meat at Easter and what are the days when you shouldn't do it?
The custom is based on a regulation of the Catholic Church that has its origin in
the practice of fasting as a sign of penance and purification
, something common with other religions for millennia. The Bible, a sacred book for Christians, accounts for this in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is recounted how figures such as Moses or Jesus Christ himself fasted, who spent forty days in the desert without eating according to the gospel of Saint Matthew.
Historically, the Church established abstinence from meat as a precept for two specific days in the year:
Ash Wednesday
- which begins Lent, the time prior to Holy Week that lasts six weeks - and
Good Friday
, when it is remembered the death of Jesus Christ. However, many faithful observe this rite every Friday of the year.
Due to abstinence from meat, many Catholics eat fish at Holy Week.
The specific abstinence from eating meat seems to be related to the fact that
since ancient times it was associated with festive banquets
,
the complete opposite of what is commemorated in Holy Week.
These days for Christians are days in which they spiritually unite themselves with the pain that Christ suffered when he was crucified.
Precisely
the crucifixion and death of Christ form a central part of the liturgy of Good Friday, a day of pain
and repentance for sins. Only on Easter Sunday comes the time to celebrate as the resurrection of Jesus Christ is commemorated.
The prohibition on eating meat, however, began to be relaxed
in 1966, when after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI highlighted in the apostolic constitution
Paenitemini
that there were other ways to practice penance, and that
abstinence from meat It could be replaced by prayer and works of charity.
This line was later ratified in the 1983 Canon Code promulgated by Pope John Paul II.
Pope Francis suggested other types of fasting, such as "turning off the television, disconnecting from cell phones, and renouncing useless criticism." undefined
On March 19, 1986, the Argentine Episcopal Conference promulgated the following complementary legislation: “The traditional penitential practice on Fridays of the year consisting of abstinence from meat is retained; but
it can be replaced, according to the free will of the faithful, by any of the following practices: abstinence from alcoholic beverages, or a work of piety, or a work of mercy
.
More recently, Pope Francis insisted in different homilies on highlighting that
the true meaning of fasting was not to deprive oneself of eating meat.
"Fasting is not only external, an external observance, but a fast that comes from the heart," he expressed. "You cannot do penances on the one hand and commit injustices on the other," he added, asking for "consistency."
And in a homily at the beginning of Lent, he suggested other forms of fasting such as "turning off the television, disconnecting from the cell phone and giving up so much talk, so much useless criticism."
Beyond the religious sense, many people maintain the habit of including more fish preparations on the menu for these dates, such as the popular vigil empanadas. For Easter Sunday, the strong point is sweet: the traditional bagel and chocolate eggs.