[Gingersnap]

"Most Catholics still voluntarily observe the Fast and Abstinence on ALL Fridays of the year."

Wow! That sure hasn't been my experience. I've often had lunch on Fridays with Catholics who attend mass and they never seem concerned about abstinence. It's the kind of thing I'd notice since I practice it myself.

[Salvation]

I thought about that after I posted it.

Let's change it to

"Some Catholics..........voluntarily...........

[NYer]

It's the kind of thing I'd notice since I practice it myself.

Perhaps you should let them know the 'good news'.

Most Catholics think that Vatican II did away with the requirement of not eating meat on any Friday of the year. Most think it is now just Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent that we cannot eat meat.

This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:

Canon 1251
Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Canon Law still requires that Catholics not eat meat on Fridays!

Of course, most Episcopal Conferences have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform an act of penance of their choosing. But, do you ever remember to abstain from a particular food or do some other penance on Fridays? And, at any rate, the main rule is still to abstain from meat on Fridays, the performance of another penance instead is an optional alternative.

It's very interesting to note that the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (the United States' Episcopal Conference) is currently debating whether to rescind the determination and require all Catholics to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. The Bishops are considering that a return to meatless Fridays for all Catholics would be of benefit.

[Ciexyz]

The weather here in Pittsburgh PA is rainy, overcast and gloomy. But my spirit is cheerful and filled with hope, because this is the first day of the Lenten Season, the countdown to the blessed Resurrection Day of Easter.

Here's wishing peace and blessings to all who read this thread.

[siunevada]

I've often had lunch on Fridays with Catholics who attend mass and they never seem concerned about abstinence.

They are probably wearing a hairshirt and don't want to make a fuss in keeping with today's Gospel. (Oh man, I'd better do penance for that smart aleck remark!)

Or they pray for their persecutors.

Friday penitential practices are always an interesting discussion topic for any group of Catholics.