I have been researching the nature and practice of ‘passionate spirituality’ and came across the Roman Catholic Church’s affirmation of Friday penance as a way of identifying with the passion of Christ on the cross.
The English and Welsh Roman Catholic bishops in assembly have resolved that,
“Every Friday is set aside by the Church as a special day of penance, for it is the day of the death of our Lord … The law of the Church requires Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays, or some other form of food, or to observe some other form of penance laid down by the Bishops’ Conference.”
We are helped in our discipleship by developing ways to nurture our love of Christ. Could our ‘passionate spirituality’ be assisted by the following advice?
“Many may wish to go beyond this simple act of common witness and mark each Friday with a time of prayer and further self-sacrifice,” the bishops’ statement concluded. “In all these ways we unite our sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ, who gave up his very life for our salvation.”
Article, English Bishops Bring Back Meatless Fridays.
PS Of course, in Tasmania abstinence from fish would hardly be penance! But be on guard Tasmania because the English and Welsh bishops have heard of folk like us 🙂
The prelates said those who do not eat meat normally should abstain from some other food on Fridays.
AASN, Australian Anglican Schools Network, will be hosting a national conference in Hobart from 12-14 August 2011.