Why no meat on Christmas Eve?

freeatlast2014

Anyone know why? I guess I could Google...

broccolitree

The Pope said so.

At least, it was forbidden on Fridays during Lent and other various holy days up until the 2nd Vatican council in the 60s, where they kind of tried to update some doctrine while not sacrificing others.  The idea of Limbo was done away with then too.  But a lot of Catholics (my MIL included) still avoid non-fish meat on Fridays & feast days.

freeatlast2014

broccolitree:

The Pope said so.

At least, it was forbidden on Fridays during Lent and other various holy days up until the 2nd Vatican council in the 60s, where they kind of tried to update some doctrine while not sacrificing others.  The idea of Limbo was done away with then too.  But a lot of Catholics (my MIL included) still avoid non-fish meat on Fridays & feast days.

Ok, so it's not so bad that we'll have chicken then. My DH isn't a fan of the Polish food I'm serving (he's mostly Italian but doesn't eat fish and really wants chicken parm).

broccolitree

fwiw I think the whole 'feast of the seven fishes' was based in scripture ('fisher of men' and whatnot), but I'm pretty sure there was also a financial motive... much of Italian cuisine, especially southern Italy, uses a lot of fish, since it's a peninsula and all.  It's been a long time since my last theology course on the subject, though.

freeatlast2014

broccolitree:

fwiw I think the whole 'feast of the seven fishes' was based in scripture ('fisher of men' and whatnot), but I'm pretty sure there was also a financial motive... much of Italian cuisine, especially southern Italy, uses a lot of fish, since it's a peninsula and all.  It's been a long time since my last theology course on the subject, though.

Wow, interesting.