The History, Meaning, and Modern Practice of This Holy Week Tradition in the U.S.
Good Friday is here, many U.S. Catholics and culturally Catholic families are preparing to observe one of the most sacred times on the Christian calendar. For many, this is also the first long weekend of spring—a time marked by traditions, spiritual reflection, and meaningful customs passed down through generations.
One of the most notable traditions during Holy Week is abstaining from red meat on Good Friday.
According to Catholic tradition, Good Friday is the day when red meat should not be eaten. This date commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a moment of deep mourning and spiritual reflection for Christians around the world.
Abstaining from red meat is seen as a gesture of penance and sacrifice. By giving up a common and often costly food item, believers symbolically share in Jesus’ suffering and demonstrate self-restraint and humility.
Instead of red meat, white meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish are typically allowed. In fact, fish has become the staple of many Good Friday meals—especially in regions with large Catholic populations, such as parts of California, Texas, Illinois, and New York.
While Good Friday is the most widely recognized day for meat abstention, many Catholics also avoid meat every Friday during Lent—a 40-day period of spiritual preparation that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday.
In 2025, Lent began on March 5 and runs through April 17. For those who follow this tradition strictly, no meat is eaten on Fridays throughout Lent.
Even in today’s fast-paced and multicultural society, these Holy Week traditions continue to hold significance in many American communities:
- Cultural Identity: For Latino, Irish, Italian, Filipino, and other Catholic-rooted communities, meatless Fridays—especially on Good Friday—are cultural as much as they are religious.
- Family & Community Rituals: From seafood dinners to special church services, Holy Week practices bring families together and help preserve generational values.
- Reflection in a Modern World: Choosing to abstain from something as basic as red meat can offer a much-needed moment of pause and mindfulness in an otherwise busy American lifestyle.
Whether you follow the tradition strictly or simply use it as a time for reflection, the message behind it remains the same: a call to humility, sacrifice, and spiritual connection.
