A ‘Little Lent’ every Friday can be good for the soul

Megan Lacourrege
NOLA Catholic Parenting

Growing up in my parents’ house, we abstained from meat every Friday and not just during Lent. At the time, I thought this practice was particular to my family. When I met my husband, however, I discovered he did the same thing.

  As a high school theology teacher accustomed to sharing the faith, he succinctly explained this tradition to me. Before the Second Vatican Council, every Friday (except on solemnities) throughout the year was a day of abstinence to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death. 

At the council, it was decided that, outside of Lent, each Catholic could decide what his or her Friday penance would be. Many people, like my parents and husband, chose to remain doing meatless Fridays.

A more recent, well-known ritual is “Meatless Monday,” as a way to save money, eat healthier and be more ecologically friendly.

I think it’s neat that the church has already been encouraging this for the last 2,000 years! I suppose “Meatless Friday” doesn’t have the same ring to it, yet it accomplishes the same goals and more.

When I met my husband, I decided to join him in this penance. Since then, Fridays have taken on a special place. Much like Sunday is sacred – or “set aside” – for recreation and feasting, Fridays are holy for their contemplation and penance. We are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice each time we prepare and eat a meal.

The intentionality of choosing a meatless Friday is something we have found helpful to our spiritual journeys. It’s not that eating meat is bad or sinful. Instead, choosing to make a small sacrifice on a Friday helps us to break our own wills. 

Each week, we give up something of this world to practice letting go of those little comforts and pleasures we come to rely on. Each little renunciation of our wills prepares us for the ultimate letting go, our own deaths.

Also, even small sacrifices can be joined to Jesus’ big sacrifice on the cross. In that way, our penances become prayers to be used however God wills.

As a family, we’ve discovered that penances don’t have to be gloomy or joyless. We’ve had fun trying various new foods. We’ve discovered that homemade veggie burgers made with lentils are delicious and easy to make. We’ve tried latkes – the potato patties special to the Jewish people and learned about their heritage.

More often than not, though, we enjoy simple tuna sandwiches and each other’s company as we take a load off from the demands of the week.

Carnival season is now upon us, and even though celebrations will look different this year, the festivities are alive in our home. My 5-year-old and I learned how to make king cake, and we’ve put up Mardi Gras decorations. 

Still, our Fridays anticipate the coming season, Lent. Perhaps having a “Little Lent” every week can strengthen us for the big show. And maybe we can discover new layers of meaning in the phrase, “Thank God It’s Friday!”

Megan Lacourrege is a wife and mother who resides in Slidell. She is native of St. Bernard and graduated from Tulane University with a double major in English and musical theater. She serves as youth director at St. Genevieve Church. Megan is also the author of the children's book “My Sibling Still,” for children who have lost a sibling to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. She aims to provide resources to bereaved parents and siblings on her website www.mysiblingstill.com.