March 25 is a Friday in Lent - BUT ...
it's also the Solemnity of the Annunciation - a big day on the church calendar whose solemnity supersedes this being a Friday day of abstinence in Lent. There will be white vestments at mass today and the Gloria can be sung.
This is also the day when Pope Francis will consecrate the whole world and especially Ukraine and Russia to the loving protect of the Blessed Mother. Francis will lead us all in prayer from Rome. You can find the text of the prayer at an earlier prayer post, HERE.
What does all this mean?
It means that the obligation to abstain from eating meat today is lifted. Of course, anyone is free to observe abstinence nonetheless - the choice is yours.
For those who might choose to abstain from meat, here's the usual scoop:
Catholics over 14 years of age
are expected to abstain from eating meat
on the Fridays of Lent.
For more on this topic, check out this earlier post...
Note: Individual, personal health concerns and "doctor's orders" always take precedence over regulations for fast and abstinence!
Fasting in In Lent
In addition to personal Lenten practices, Catholics are also called to a communal practice of self-denial by abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday.
All Christians are called to special prayer, fasting and caring for the poor in the season of Lent.
Each person determines how he or she will personally live out these ancient Lenten exercises.
Each person determines how he or she will personally live out these ancient Lenten exercises.
In addition to personal Lenten practices, Catholics are also called to a communal practice of self-denial by abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday.
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