No meat during Holy Week? We got you covered

During the holy week, one of the traditions among Roman Catholics is to abstain from eating meat. It could be every Friday during Lent, or for some, it could be the whole week.

On this Maundy Thursday, where it’s believed that Jesus and his disciples had their last supper, we’re commemorating it with food. 

But before that, let’s educate ourselves first by knowing the reason why Catholics do not eat meat. 

So, why do Catholics not eat meat?

According to Klein, P., Catholic Source Book, 78, Good Friday is traditionally the right day for abstaining from meat. “From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from flesh meat (black fast) to honor Christ, who sacrificed his flesh on a Good Friday”, said by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), which has implemented it under the law on all Fridays in Lent.

Catholics don’t eat flesh meat on Fridays in commemoration of Jesus’ sacrifice of his flesh for us on Good Friday. “Flesh meat” refers to the meat of mammals and fowl, and the main meals that fall into this category include beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. While the flesh of these animals is forbidden, non-flesh products such as milk, cheese, butter, and eggs are not.

What should you eat instead?

You can always eat vegetables and seafood instead. This is the day where it could be your best friend. Plus, Korean and Japanese dishes are also available. It’ll be the right day to use your cravings in this matter. 

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Meanwhile, to clarify another myth, during the holy week, you are allowed to eat fish. Flesh meat does not include fish.

Caro, the Latin word for meat from which we obtain words like carnivore and carnivorous, refers only to flesh meat and was never thought to refer to fish. Since meat is the only thing that is forbidden, you have more options for what to eat.

• Any ginataang dish is delicious;
• Lumpia;
• Tuyo;
• Seafood like crabs, pusit, hipon, etc.
• Munggo, pinakbet, and any vegetable dish;
• Korean or Japanese cuisine;
• Sweet desert.

I hope that today, food is the least of your worries, and you must focus on resting and reconnecting during Holy Week instead. After all, lent is a time to reflect and focus on spiritual health.