If you grew up in Wisconsin, you have probably tasted a Friday Fish Fry. This Midwestern culinary tradition isn’t a tourist gimmick. Instead, there is a logical explanation stemming from a faith practice called “Meatless Fridays.”
While some Catholics observe “Meatless Fridays” year-round, the tradition is more common during Lent. The origin is believed to have come from early Christians fasting on Fridays in remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday. Over the centuries, the degree of fasting has varied and today the most common observance seems to come in the form of abstaining from meat (land and air animals) but not all animal products (butter, eggs, cheese, etc.).
The Archdiocese of LaCrosse published some very good information about Lent. The following is quoted directly from their website:
“HISTORY OF LENT
What did fasting used to look like? The Lenten season, preparation for Easter, has been observed from the onset of the church, although there have been inconsistencies with duration and practices. The Council of Nicea, 325 AD, established Easter’s fluid date as the Sunday following the first full moon of the vernal equinox. In 461, Pope St. Leo established the duration as 40 consecutive days before Easter. Pope Gregory the Great, in the sixth century, added the dispensing of ashes the preceding Wednesday on what we now call Ash Wednesday.
Initially, all forms of meat, fish and animal products were excluded for the entirety of Lent. People were allowed one meal per day, after 3 p.m. In the 1400s, that time was revised to noon. Eventually, a small snack was included to sustain energy. Over time, fish, meat and dairy products were allowed. However, fasting was required all 40 days. It wasn’t until 1966 that fast days were lessened to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only.”
And…
“WHAT ARE THE CURRENT RULES FOR LENT?
All Catholics, ages 14 and up, are bound by the law of abstinence. Abstinence means refraining from the consumption of meat (land animals) on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Why Friday? To unite ourselves with Jesus’ sacrifice, made for us on Good Friday.
All Catholics, ages 18-59, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is defined as eating one full, meatless meal on prescribed days. Bits of food can be taken at other traditional meal times, though their combined total should not equal a full meal.
Penitential practices, like fasting and abstinence, are intended to refocus our thoughts and intentions toward God. Lent’s 40 days include Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday (the Lenten fast continues until Holy Saturday), not including Sundays. Sundays are optional, but encouraged. For health reasons, the infirm, ill and pregnant or nursing mothers are exempt.
Three other Lenten disciplines are prayer (daily conversation with the Lord), fasting (from behaviors which detract from our relationship with God) and almsgiving (sharing our resources, ensuring the basic needs of human dignity).”
(https://catholiclife.diolc.org/2018/02/14/the-40-days-of-lent/)
Bonus Fun Fact to impress your friends with:
You can thank Meatless Friday Catholics for your Filet-o-Fish. Well, technically the thanks goes to Lou Groen for coming up with the idea in 1962. Lou was the franchise operator of the first McDonald’s in Cincinnati, OH. Located in a predominately Catholic neighborhood, he noticed a significant decline in burger sales on Fridays. Not content to give up weekend revenue, he decided to “bait the hook” with a seafood option.
Today, according to numerous sources, 25% of annual sales for Filet-o-fish sandwiches occur during Lent. Something to think about as you consider the question, “Do you want fries with that?”