Originally Posted By: Anne Holmes
OK, I'm asking just so I can understand this concept, because at first blush, it seems foreign to me.

You're saying that in order to comply with the Vatican, you ate pizza or spaghetti with no meat on/in it on Friday nights?



Yeah; that sort of thing is exactly what Catholics used to do. Not eating meat on Fridays was done for penance and to remind people of Christ's crucifixion (Good Friday). You could eat eggs, beans, cheese, even fish. We had fish sticks every Friday, it seemed, but I'm sure had grilled cheese sandwiches and the like as well.

It wasn't a bad deal and served as a regular reminder. It may seem a little wacky now, but when you think about it, eating certain ways due to religious beliefs is a very common practice.