Lenten guidelines: Is faux meat allowed on Fridays?

[Michie]

Debating the morality of eating an Impossible Burger on a Lenten Friday might be as Catholic as it gets.

“I mean, only Catholics could be having an existential crisis over aristotelian metaphysics as to whether something is actually a thing or not, or in this case, meat,” said William Patenaude, a Rhode Island civil engineer who blogs on Catholic ecology.

Patenaude told Our Sunday Visitor that he found it “hilarious” that Catholics on social media and elsewhere are discussing the ethics of eating plant-based products that are manufactured to taste and smell like real beef. Secular media outlets have asked canon lawyers and diocesan officials to weigh in on whether eating faux meat on Fridays during Lent constitutes a mortal sin.

“And everyone is pulling out their textbooks, looking up Aristotle, Plato and Thomas Aquinas,” Patenaude said. “It’s pretty hilarious, and so Catholic.”

Continued below.

Lenten guidelines: Is faux meat allowed on Fridays?

Debating whether an Impossible Burger or meat on Fridays breaks Lenten rules reveals the deep Catholic mix of tradition and modern dilemmas.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

 

[Lady Bug]

I think this is a bit overboard, if you (general you) want to apply this to everyone. If someone doesn't think it's enough of a penance, then they can do what they want or don't want.

 

[Michie]

The article says it’s really not an issue yet. I’ve tried that stuff. It’s awful and bad for you. I’d rather eat fish.

 

[Lady Bug]

The article says it’s really not an issue yet. I’ve tried that stuff. It’s awful no and bad for you. I’d rather eat fish.

LOL I may have mistakenly conveyed that I'd eat it

However, I bought some extra cod and mahi mahi for this season, lol.

 

[Lady Bug]

I think this is a bit overboard, if you (general you) want to apply this to everyone. If someone doesn't think it's enough of a penance, then they can do what they want or don't want.

I meant the "general you" in my post, not aiming it at you per se.

 

[RileyG]

The article says it’s really not an issue yet. I’ve tried that stuff. It’s awful and bad for you. I’d rather eat fish.

I've never tried it. I'd rather eat fish, too, on Fridays during Lent.

I mostly eat chicken, beef, sometimes pork, and rarely turkey.

I don't have an adventurous palate. eh?

 

[RileyG]

LOL I may have mistakenly conveyed that I'd eat it

However, I bought some extra cod and mahi mahi for this season, lol.

I had cod last night! Not sure if I ever had mahi mahi.

I should try Salmon. Even Long John Silvers sells it! lol

 

[Michie]

I’m not a big salmon fan. I do like cod and mahi mahi though. Mahi mahi is just another mild white fish.

 

[RileyG]

I’m not a big salmon fan. I do like cod and mahi mahi though. Mahi mahi is just another mild white fish.

Maybe I should look into mahi mahi.

I LOVE shrimp. Especially with cocktail sauce. Mmmm.

I also like lobster and crab, but they are a bit expensive. Imitation crab is what I mostly get.

 

[Michie]

Maybe I should look into mahi mahi.

I LOVE shrimp. Especially with cocktail sauce. Mmmm.

I also like lobster and crab, but they are a bit expensive. Imitation crab is what I mostly get.

I like all that. Not too crazy about the imitation stuff though.

 

[RileyG]

I like all that. Not too crazy about the imitation stuff though.

I LOVE Crab Rangoons (midwestern Chinese appetizers). Its imitation crab meat, cream cheese in a fried wonton with sweet and sour sauce or duck sauce. Soooo good. They're addictive.

I also love Crab Rangoon Pizza or Crab Rangoon dip.

Not sure if you ever heard of them?

They're similar to cheese wontons.

 

[Michie]

I LOVE Crab Rangoons (midwestern Chinese appetizers). Its imitation crab meat, cream cheese in a fried wonton with sweet and sour sauce or duck sauce. Soooo good. They're addictive.

I also love Crab Rangoon Pizza or Crab Rangoon dip.

Not sure if you ever heard of them?

They're similar to cheese wontons.

Oh yeah. Very familiar with it!

 

[RileyG]

Oh yeah. Very familiar with it!

Yup! They don't taste fishy at all! I much prefer them over egg rolls

 

[Lady Bug]

I’m not a big salmon fan. I do like cod and mahi mahi though. Mahi mahi is just another mild white fish.

Mahi Mahi needs to be doused with oil and a ton of salt IMHO but after that it's ok. Salmon for me leaves a thick oily aftertaste in the back of my throat. Otherwise I might have been able to handle it.

 

[Michie]

Salmon is just not my thing. I can eat but don’t really like it. As far as the Mahi Mahi, I like it. I just put lemon and seafood seasoning on it.

 

[Lady Bug]

Salmon is just not my thing. I can eat but don’t really like it. As far as the Mahi Mahi, I like it. I just put lemon and seafood seasoning on it.

You know, I think it might have been the quality of the mahi that makes a difference. The first time I tried it, I think I was using it from a different supplier. The most recent batch of mahi had a better meat texture, smell, and taste.

 

[Michie]

You know, I think it might have been the quality of the mahi that makes a difference. The first time I tried it, I think I was using it from a different supplier. The most recent batch of mahi had a better meat texture, smell, and taste.

I think it’s a good fish. A lot depends on how it’s cooked and seasoned. Sometimes I flake the fish up and add it to salad.

 

[RileyG]

Mahi Mahi needs to be doused with oil and a ton of salt IMHO but after that it's ok. Salmon for me leaves a thick oily aftertaste in the back of my throat. Otherwise I might have been able to handle it.

Never had either, so I don’t know. Think I’ll try it soon.

 

[RileyG]

Salmon is just not my thing. I can eat but don’t really like it. As far as the Mahi Mahi, I like it. I just put lemon and seafood seasoning on it.

The grocery store I used to work at had salmon dip. It was sooooo good. I hope they still make it. I’d use it with crackers.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

It’s fascinating to think about how Catholic Lent used to be so challenging and spiritually edifying, more like our Orthodox Great Lent. Back in the day, Catholic Lent was rough….stricter than Ramadan.

Medieval Lent was Harder than Islamic Ramadan - Taylor Marshall

I have been told that medieval Christians would ridicule the Islamic season of fasting called Ramadan as weak, effeminate, and easy when compared to the austere Christian season of fasting during Lent or Quadragesima. The Catholic Church has decreased the austerity of Lent over the centuries so...

taylormarshall.com