[PBRSTREETGANG]

Back in the day when virtually every Catholic kid and teenager gave up meat on Fridays for Lent, there were always a couple of holier-than-Richie types who took it to the next level.

Um, "back in the day" Catholic kids and teenagers from observant families didn't eat meat on any Friday throughout the year, and fasted on Ash Wednesday and Friday's in Lent, as well.

Any Lenten sacrifice was in addition to "giving up" meat on Fridays.

[DuncanWaring]

It always struck me as peculiar that one would ostensibly go to Hell for eating beans-and-franks on Friday, but chowing-down on shrimp cocktail and a lobster was no problem whatsoever.

[siunevada]

Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is still the norm for adults. And abstaining from meat on Fridays is still the primary form of penance on Fridays:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4O.HTM

[Chi-townChief]

I think Dopey is a bit too young to remember that as well as full fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday or abstaining on Christmas Eve or no eating after midnight before Communion.

[fortunecookie]

Um, "back in the day" Catholic kids and teenagers from observant families didn't eat meat on any Friday throughout the year, and fasted on Ash Wednesday and Friday's in Lent, as well. Any Lenten sacrifice was in addition to "giving up" meat on Fridays.

I remember this well. When my mother found out, was told by a parish priest, in the 80's that is was 'ok' to have meat on Fridays during other parts of the year, she was aghast. Although it's been years since my mother passed away, I still mostly have meat free Fridays, partly habit, partly intent, my sister does this, too.