Fridays are Days of Penance

Every Friday of the year, except those that are Solemnities, are Days of Penance. Traditionally, Catholics would not eat meat on Fridays but in recent times Catholics have been permitted to substitute with some other penance or pious work. It is to their own detriment that some people have lost this penitential nature of Fridays. During Lent the penitential nature of Fridays is more fully emphasized. Christ gave His life for us on a Friday. We try to remember this and participate in His sacrifice by giving up something on Fridays. This strengthens us in our ability to practice self-control and frees us from attachments to be able to practice greater kindness toward others.