Why Fridays? Because Christ died on a Friday. He sacrificed his flesh for us. And Catholics participated in his sacrifice by making a sacrifice of their own on Fridays, as a form of penance for sins — their own and those of the world.
Abstinence from meat on Fridays is done as a sacrifice by many Christians because they believe that on Good Friday, Jesus sacrificed his flesh for humanity. In Orthodox Christianity, in addition to fasting from food until sundown, the faithful are enjoined to abstain from sexual relations on Fridays as well.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.
"Since Jesus sacrificed his flesh for us on Good Friday, we refrain from eating flesh meat in his honor on Fridays," the Archdiocese said. Johnston adds refraining from eating meat is a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.
According to A Pulpit Commentary on Catholic Teaching, one of the reasons Wednesdays and Fridays were chosen as fasting days in Rome was to counteract sinful behavior that was prevalent among pagans on those specific days. In the early Church, Wednesdays and Fridays were appointed as days of fasting.
"Friday is a day of penitence, as it is believed Christ died on a Friday. Everyone has the right to either eat meat or not.
Like Mondays are dedicated to Lord Shiva, similarly, Fridays are dedicated to Goddess Santoshi. Goddess Santoshi is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Durga and is considered to be the goddess of joy and satisfaction. People in several parts of the country worship Mata Santoshi on Fridays and also observe fasts.
Also, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent, adult Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat. During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed.
It simply meant abstaining from eating the flesh of warm-blooded animals—since the thinking goes, Jesus was a warm-blooded animal. Fish, though, which are cold blooded were considered okay to eat on fasting days. Hence, Fish on Fridays and “Fish Friday” (among many other religious holidays) was born.
Here's why: meat was at one point considered an indulgence, so abstaining from meat on certain days is intended as a form of penance and a way for Christians to honor Jesus' sacrifice of his flesh on Good Friday. That means no meat from birds, cows, sheep, or pigs.
Who is exempt from fasting during Lent? Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast.
When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Liquids, including tea, coffee and juices, may be taken at any time.
Traditionally, when fasting for Lent, Catholics would fast for the entire 40 days and abstain from something they enjoy on Fridays and Saturdays. In contrast to other religious traditions, Catholic fasting involves eating fewer, smaller meals per day than usual.
"Sunday has always been considered by Christians to be a 'little Easter,' the day on which we celebrate the Lord's resurrection and his victory over sin and death," he said. "This is why Sunday is never considered a day of penance but always a day of rejoicing."
In 866 A.D., Pope Nicholas I made Friday abstinence from meat a universal rule of the church. By the 12th century, abstinence and fasting on Friday, for penance as well as in memorial of Christ's Passion, were common practices. Most Catholics were bound by the rules, even children as young as 12.
The Practice Began in the Early Days of the Church
In the early years of Christianity in Europe, the Church instituted the practice of requiring the faithful to abstain from eating meat on Fridays in memory of Christ's death.
Catholics do not pray to Mary as if she were God. Prayer to Mary is memory of the great mysteries of our faith (Incarnation, Redemption through Christ in the rosary), praise to God for the wonderful things he has done in and through one of his creatures (Hail Mary) and intercession (second half of the Hail Mary).
“From the first century, the day of the crucifixion has been traditionally observed as a day of abstaining from flesh meat (“black fast”) to honor Christ who sacrificed his flesh on a Friday” (Klein, P., Catholic Source Book, 78). Up until 1966 Church law prohibited meat on all Fridays throughout the entire year.
However, confessing one's sins to a priest has been the common practice among Christians since the time of Christ. The New Testament tells us of the practice: The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.
Catholics are actually not required by the Church to eat fish on Fridays. In the dioceses of the United States, however, those Catholics age 14 onwards are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent. Not doing so would be a sin against God and His Church.
A summary of current practice: On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent: Everyone of age 14 and up must abstain from consuming meat.
Christians may eat pork because God has declared it once more to be clean. “What God has declared clean you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). Pork is one of those “foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1Timothy 4:3).
Do not take food for the whole day on this day. Fasting regularly till 16 Fridays and during the fast on Friday, take fruits. Do not consume sour food items at home in food and family members should also stay away from sour food.
Hence, it is widely believed that if you keep a fast on Fridays and worship the divine feminine energy, all your wishes will come true and you will become successful and prosperous. Before commencing Vaibhav Laxmi fasts, you need to commit the number of Fridays you will devote to Goddess Lakshmi.
This practice seems to date from as early as the first century. There are many people — even today — who claim Catholics eat fish on Fridays because one of the medieval popes wanted to help support the fishmongers, a claim that is quite false.