Can You Eat Meat On Holy Thursday? (Complete Guide)

Holy Thursday is simply the celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It commemorates the day He instituted the communion, just before he was arrested and crucified. Additionally, this day has been designated for celebrating the founding of the priesthood.

This day often occurs on the Thursday before Easter. This day in and of itself certainly carries weight, particularly among Catholics worldwide. However, one query that comes up regularly among followers who are not incredibly knowledgeable about the doctrines and practices is, Can you eat meat on a Holy Thursday?

Therefore, let’s find out if we can eat meat on Thursday or not.

So Continue To Read…

Table of Contents

Can you eat meat on a Holy Thursday?

Yes, You can. The only days Catholics don’t eat meat are Good Friday, Ash Wednesday and the Fridays in the Lent season. Therefore, it is essential to clarify that meat can be consumed by Catholics during Holy Week. Despite this, a small percentage of Catholics continue to reject it. Eating the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper until Saturday night after the Easter Vigil, some people try to eat sparingly or even refrain from eating meat.

What Foods Should Be Avoided on Holy Thursday?

As a part of their Lenten practices, Roman Catholics usually don’t eat meat on Holy Thursday. It means you shouldn’t eat pork, beef, chicken, or other meat. Catholics usually eat seafood or meatless food on this day instead. Also, on Holy Thursday, people in some countries may not eat animal products, including dairy and eggs.

Can You Eat Eggs on Holy Thursday?

On Holy Thursday, you can’t eat eggs. From Monday to Saturday, during Holy Week, it is usual to fast as strictly as possible by not eating or drinking meat, eggs, dairy, fish, or alcohol. It means that on Holy Thursday, you shouldn’t eat eggs. It’s also suggested that you only eat or drink something from Thursday night after dinner until Saturday night.

What Makes Holy Thursday So Important For Christians?

Most Christians believe the Holy Week is one of the most important times of the year. The week leads to the days when we remember Jesus Christ’s death, crucifixion, and rising. Many Christians look forward to these days by fasting and praying for 40 days straight.

Also, people think that Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples on a Thursday evening and was taken in the middle of the night. He was then tried, arrested, found guilty, put on a cross, and killed before Friday morning. The Gospels also say that he was raised from the dead three days later.

What happened on Holy Thursday?

This day may have been one of the most important in Christ’s life. According to the gospels, Jesus sent John and Peter to plan using the upper room on this day. It was also the day that Jesus washed the feet of his followers and made them priests. Also, Jesus told Peter that he would deny him on Good Thursday. Also, Jesus went up to Mount Olives, sang a song, was betrayed by Judas, healed Malchus’s ear, was denied by Peter, and was taken away by Pontius Pilate on Holy Thursday.

Background on Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, Christians are supposed to remember and enjoy the Last Supper. Before he died on the cross, Jesus ate this meal with his friends. Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a gift at the Last Supper. During Mass, we receive the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ.

On Holy Thursday, we remember when the Eucharist was first given. We also remember Jesus’s humility when he washed the followers’ feet. It shows us how important it is to help other people.

On Holy Thursday, a lot of Christians choose not to eat meat. It is a choice that each Christian makes for himself or herself. Some people do this instead of eating as a way to fast. Some people do it out of respect for how important the day is.

If you need to decide if you should eat meat on Holy Thursday, the best thing to do is think about it and do what feels right. In the end, you have to decide for yourself what is best for your spiritual life.

The Traditional Lenten Fast

On Holy Thursday, can you eat meat?

On Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent, the usual Lenten fast says you can’t eat meat. Some people give up meat for 40 days of Lent, while others eat fish instead. So, the question still stands: is eating meat on Holy Thursday okay?

No, is the simple answer. The Catholic Church says that on Holy Thursday, you should not eat meat. This rule only sometimes holds, though. You can eat meat on Holy Thursday even if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, you can eat meat today if you are sick or can’t fast for some other reason.

So, if you want to eat meat on Holy Thursday, you should ask your local church if there are any exceptions.

The Meaning of Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday, Christians enjoy the Last Supper. It was the last meal Jesus ate with his followers before he was kidnapped and put to death on the cross. Every year, the Thursday before Easter is used to remember the meal.

For Christians, the Eucharist is a holy event where Jesus Christ comes to life. The bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ. Holy Thursday is a special day because it is the day that the Eucharist was first started.

At the Last Supper, Jesus took a piece of bread and prayed over it. Then he broke the bread and gave it to his pupils, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this as a way to remember me.” (Luke 22:19). He also took a cup of wine and gave it to them, telling them, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)

The Eucharist is a strong reflection of what Jesus did to save us. It is also a lesson that we need to love others as he did.

On Holy Thursday, we remember that we are called to help others, just like Jesus served us.

Rules and Exceptions for Fasting on Holy Thursday

No, is the simple answer.

Holy Thursday is a day when people fast and don’t eat meat.
The Catholic Church says that to fast is to stop eating and drinking, even water, for a certain amount of time.
Abstinence is “the spiritual discipline of refusing to eat, drink, or do something.”
So, officially, you should not eat or drink anything on Holy Thursday, not even water.
But the Church knows this isn’t always possible or sensible, especially for young children, older people, and people who are sick.
Because of this, the Church has rules about fasting and not eating on Holy Thursday.
First, people who have to fast because of the rule should not eat meat.
They are, however, allowed to eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal.
You can eat breakfast, lunch, and a small dinner if you are fasting.
Second, people who aren’t required to fast by the law are still encouraged to give up meat, but they aren’t forced to.
Third, people who can’t fast or abstain from food because of their health don’t have to.
The Church knows that some people have health problems that make it hard or even dangerous for them to fast.
If you belong to this group, you don’t have to fast.
Fourth, women who are pregnant or who are nursing do not have to fast either.
The Church knows that pregnant or nursing women need to be extra careful about what they eat so they don’t have to fast.
Lastly, children under 18 years old do not have to fast.
The Church knows kids are still growing and changing, so they don’t have to fast.
So, if you can fast, you should avoid eating meat and only eat one big meal and two smaller ones.
Even if you can’t fast, you should still try to stay away from meat.
And you don’t have to fast if you are pregnant, nursing, or under 18 years old.

Alternatives to Meat on Holy Thursday

During Lent, which is the 40 days before Easter Sunday, members of the Catholic Church are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays. Many Catholics give up meat on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. Even though the Church doesn’t make them do this, many Catholics think it’s an excellent way to remember what Jesus Christ did for them.

If you are Catholic and want to give up meat on Holy Thursday, you can eat many other things. Here are a few suggestions:

Fish is a classic food for Lent, and it’s a great way to give up meat. Fish can be cooked in many different ways, so you can try something new or stick to a basic recipe.

When it comes to cooking greens, there are a lot of different ways to do it. You can cook, sauté, or even make soup or stew with them.

Fruit: Instead of meat, you can eat healthy and tasty fruit. You can eat it by itself or put it in a salad or something else.

Grains: Grains can be used in many ways and are suitable for you on Holy Thursday. You can make a salad, a side dish, or even a main dish with grains.

Beans: Beans are an excellent choice for meat because they are filling and healthy. Since there are many kinds of beans, you can try out different tastes and textures.

Eggs: Eggs are a traditional food that can be cooked in many ways. You can make a frittata, an omelette, a pie, or even hard-boiled eggs.

There are many other ways to eat on Holy Thursday without meat. Try something new and different.

Conclusion

You should already know that you can eat meat on Holy Thursday, even though you can’t on other days. But more importantly, it’s important to note that Holy Thursday and Holy Week differ. As we’ve taken the time to describe here, realizing this fact brings your senses to life.

Thanks for reading to the end