Each Friday, the Church invites us to take part in a personal sacrifice by abstaining from eating meat. This is a tradition that goes back centuries, with Friday being dedicated to the memory of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross for us.
For Catholics who don’t eat meat, this fast can take another form, through giving up something else.
Carrot soup
Abstaining from meat is only one part of this Friday Fast, which also helps us to prepare to receive the word of God.
As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, fasting "teaches us to pray and act responsibly towards our neighbour."
Alongside our fast, we can give alms, making a small donation to support our brothers and sisters living in poverty.
Pledge £1 a week (£4 a month) as part of your Friday Fast, to share hope with communities around the world. You’ll receive a weekly email with gospel reflections, plus ways you can give, act and pray with us over the year.
If you'd prefer, you can sign up for weekly reflections without pledging a monthly donation.
The Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales state that “the law of the Church requires Catholics on Fridays to abstain from meat, or some other form of food, or to observe some other form of penance laid down by the Bishops’ Conference.” (Code of Canon Law, Canon 1251)
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, anyone suffering illness or older people are exempt from fasting.
