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A Catholic’s tasks during Lent – penance, almsgiving, sacrifice and prayer – are adult themes and may be difficult for children, who simply are counting down the days until they get their Easter baskets.
For Catholic children, fasting and abstaining from eating meat during Lent are not yet requirements. However, even kids can have a more faith-filled Lent by participating in fasting and abstinence.
Why Do Catholics Fast and Eat No Meat During Lent?
Lent is a season of reflection and penance as the faithful prepare for the joy of Easter. The Catholic Lenten season is a time of prayer, almsgiving, penance and sacrifice. As a weekly reminder of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, and fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Fasting and abstinence allows Catholics to honor Jesus’ fasting in the desert, and difficult weeks leading up to his crucifixion. In addition, abstinence and fasting gives Catholics an opportunity to reflect on their own sin and draw nourishment from a different source, according to Pittsburgh Catholic.
Abstaining from eating meat on Fridays during Lent should start at age 14. Fasting, in which Catholics eat only sustenance on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, is practiced from age 21 to age 60. The elderly, the young, pregnant women and people who are ill or with medical conditions, are exempt.
Over the years, Catholic families have adopted the tradition of making fish on Fridays, and many local churches sell fish dinners during Lent.
Abstaining
The Catholic Church encourages abstaining from eating meat and poultry on all Fridays throughout the year, but in the United States that practice has become a Lenten obligation. Teenagers and adults are asked to not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, to honor Christ’s sacrifices for us.
Fish and seafood are allowed, as well as dairy and other animal byproducts.
Although abstinence is not required of children, even very young kids should have no problem abstaining from eating meat one day a week during Lent. To prepare for the Lenten season, kids may enjoy brainstorming with their parents or CCD teachers to think of meatless meals and snacks for the whole family. Cheese pizza, spaghetti, fish and chips, cheese quesadillas and other children’s favorites can be Friday staples.
Some kids’ favorite foods can be turned vegetarian by substituting beans, cheese, soy, tofu or mushrooms for meat. For instance, bean burritos, vegetarian chili and vegetable lasagna are great Friday night dinners for Lent.
Fasting
Catholic fasting is not avoiding all food. On days of fasting, Catholics are asked to eat only what is necessary, usually one meal per day or two small meals, with no snacking, no sweets and no indulgences.
Children may not be able to skip meals, but can be encouraged to make other sacrifices on days of fasting. At the onset of Lent, children can help decide which snack foods they’ll give up on fasting days. A short prayer before eating any food also helps children remember the purpose of the Lenten season.
With guidance from parents and teachers, Catholic children can get more out of the Lenten season and feel more a part of their church's most honored observances.
