Quick Answer
Yes, it is permissible to eat meat the day before Good Friday. Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and is observed as a day of fasting and penance by many Christian denominations. However, the Catholic Church’s rules around abstinence from meat only apply on Good Friday itself, not the day before.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Good Friday marks the conclusion of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and penance leading up to Easter.
On Good Friday, Christians remember the sufferings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity. It is a solemn day of mourning and repentance in preparation for the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Good Friday Customs and Traditions
Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States but is observed by many Christians. Typical Good Friday customs and traditions include:
- Attending church services commemorating Christ’s passion and death
- Fasting and abstaining from meat
- Praying the Stations of the Cross
- Reading the gospel accounts of the crucifixion
- Participating in the liturgy celebrating Christ’s passion
- Veneration of the cross
Many Christians maintain a solemn atmosphere on Good Friday by removing decorations, avoiding loud music, and dressing simply. It is a day of solemnity and humility.
Can You Eat Meat on the Day Before Good Friday?
Yes, Catholics and many other Christians are permitted to eat meat the day before Good Friday. The Catholic Church’s rules around abstaining from meat only apply on Good Friday itself, not the day before.
Rules Around Abstaining from Meat
Here are the key points regarding the Catholic Church’s guidelines for abstaining from meat:
- All Catholics ages 14 and older are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday.
- The rules for abstaining from meat only apply on the specific days and dates indicated, not the days before.
- The day before Good Friday is not included in the requirement to abstain from meat.
- Only the consumption of meat from warm-blooded land animals (like cows, pigs, sheep) is prohibited. Meat from fish and cold-blooded animals (like alligators, frogs, turtles) is permitted.
Therefore, since the day before Good Friday is not a designated meat-free day, Catholics can eat meat that day without violating any religious obligations.
History of Abstaining from Meat
The custom of abstaining from meat has ancient origins in the Christian tradition:
- During the early days of the Church, Christians would fast regularly, including abstaining from meat, to prepare for feasts and holy days.
- By the 3rd century, abstaining from meat was common on Wednesdays and Fridays. This became church law by the 9th century.
- Abstaining on Friday became especially important as it is the day Jesus Christ died on the cross.
- Not eating warm-blooded animals on Fridays and during Lent became a way for Catholics to identify with Christ’s sacrifice.
While the rules for abstaining from meat have relaxed over time, Good Friday remains a major day in the year for fasting and penance in the Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations.
What Other Food Restrictions Apply on Good Friday?
In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to fast on Good Friday, as well as on Ash Wednesday. Fasting involves eating only one full meal for the day and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal.
There are no restrictions on what types of food may be eaten on Good Friday, only that meat from warm-blooded animals is to be avoided. Fish, vegetables, grains, dairy products, etc. are all permitted.
Orthodox Christians also adhere to fasting restrictions on Good Friday, abstaining from meat, dairy, oil, wine and fish with backbones. Only shellfish and vegetable oils are allowed.
Are There Exceptions for Not Abstaining from Meat?
The Catholic Church does grant some exceptions from the requirement to abstain from meat on Good Friday and other penitential days:
- Those with a medical condition or health risk that would be impacted by not eating meat are excused.
- Pregnant or nursing women have additional nutrition needs that require flexibility.
- Those performing hard manual labor may need additional protein from meat.
- Mandatory military service may come with required meals.
In these cases, individuals should still practice penance and self-denial to the extent they are able on Good Friday. But the unchangeable circumstances provide a justifiable reason not to abstain from meat.
Are There Any Location Exceptions?
Some specific locations provide exceptions from abstaining from meat on penitential days like Good Friday due to the local culture and traditions. For example:
- Meat has traditionally been a more regular part of diets in some South and Central American countries. The bishops in those regions have sometimes granted dispensations from abstaining from meat.
- Some bishops allow meat to be served at community meals where abstaining would cause grave offense to non-Catholics.
- Missionary territories without well-established Lenten traditions sometimes receive temporary dispensations from abstaining from meat.
So in a few specific locations, the local bishop may allow Catholics to eat meat the day before Good Friday and on other Fridays during Lent based on local circumstances. But these exceptions only apply to those living in the designated area.
Are There Any Age Exceptions?
Yes, the requirement to abstain from meat on Good Friday applies only to Catholics ages 14 and up. It does not apply to younger children, so they may eat meat the day before Good Friday and during Lent if served to them.
However, parents are encouraged to guide children below age 14 to also embrace the spirit of penance and sacrifice during Lent as appropriate for their age, by abstaining from treats, desserts or other voluntary acts. But meat does not need to be forbidden to Catholic children until age 14.
Conclusion
In summary, Catholics and many other Christians abstain from meat on Good Friday as a form of fasting and penance commemorating Christ’s passion and death. However, the rules around abstaining from meat only apply on Good Friday itself, not the day before. So it is perfectly permissible for Catholics and other followers of traditional Lenten practices to eat meat the day before Good Friday.
The day before Good Friday is not included in the Lenten requirements for fasting and abstinence. The custom of abstaining from meat has always been specifically connected to the commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary on Good Friday. Therefore, there are no restrictions on eating meat on the Thursday before Good Friday.
Individuals should still maintain an appropriately solemn and reverent spirit on the Thursday before Good Friday in preparation for the sorrowful remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice the following day. But unless local authorities have imposed additional requirements, traditional Lenten disciplines allow full participation in meat-based meals on the day before Good Friday.
