Lent 2019: Why Catholics eat fish on Fridays during lent
It’s Lent, which means it’s fried fish season. Here are some fun facts about Lent and fish fries and where you can get good fish in Louisville.
Nikki Boliaux, Louisville Courier Journal
Lent is well underway, and millions of Christians around the world are observing. The weeks-long spring tradition is practiced in honor of Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
What are the holy days of Lent, and what do they mean? Here’s what to know.
What is Lent? How long is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by many Christians in preparation for Easter. This represents the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry.
During Lent, many believers give up certain luxuries — such as sweets, specific foods, social media or alcohol — as a form of self-discipline. Others take on new spiritual practices, like daily prayer or acts of charity. Sundays are not traditionally counted in the 40 days, as they are considered days of celebration rather than fasting.
When is Good Friday 2025?
Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter and marks the day Jesus was crucified and died. This year, it is observed on April 18, 2025.
Can you eat chicken during Lent? Why people eat fish on Fridays during Lent
For people following Lent traditions, eating chicken on Fridays goes against the restrictions of the period, as it is considered flesh meat.
Those observing Lent typically refrain from eating flesh meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent. Flesh meat includes beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Fish are not considered flesh meat, so many will replace flesh meat with fish for Friday meals. This is done to honor Jesus sacrificing his flesh on Good Friday, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis.
Non-flesh products, like milk, cheese, butter and eggs, are not prohibited during Lent.
Fasting during Lent represents the fasting Jesus did while in the desert.
“Abstinence is a form of penance. Penance expresses sorrow and contrition for our wrongdoing, indicates our intention to turn away from sin and turn back to God,” the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis shared on its website.
When is Palm Sunday 2025?
Palm Sunday is April 13, 2025. It signals the beginning of Holy Week, the last week of Lent. It also represents the day Jesus entered Jerusalem waving palm branches.
When is Easter 2025?
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. This year, the spring equinox falls on Thursday, March 20.
Easter is Sunday, April 20.
What does Easter celebrate?
Easter is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, marked by a season of religious observances, traditions and celebrations leading up to the day — and observed by millions worldwide.
For Christians, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a fundamental belief in Christianity. According to Christian teachings, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, and on the third day — Easter Sunday — he rose from the dead.
