--- title: Considering a Throwback description: Elizabeth Estrada ponders a return to the practice of year-round Meatless Fridays. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20250102%20EEstrada%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/considering-a-throwback#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Considering a Throwback Jan 2, 2025 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Elizabeth Estrada](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/elizabeth-estrada) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20250102%20EEstrada%201.png) *Elizabeth Estrada ponders a return to the practice of year-round Meatless Fridays.* --- I hear an old song, like an ‘80s song or an old expression, I mean something from the ‘80s again, and I always hear myself saying, “It’s a throwback!” Especially when I am around people who could be kids.   For a couple of years now I have returned to the Catholic tradition of Meatless Fridays. A good friend of mine and I were out to dinner once on a Friday and she started telling me about her decision to abstain from meat all the time, not just during Lent.  She told me all about the difference it had made in her spiritual life. After that day, I began on my journey of Meatless Fridays. I didn’t tell anyone as I wasn’t sure if I would be able to see it through.  At the beginning it was hard. Sometimes I would forget or for some reason on Fridays I began craving meat — especially a juicy cheeseburger.  I did notice a difference in my spiritual life over time. I felt more at peace and not so stressed all the time.   When Lent came around, I had to consider another sacrifice, since Fridays were already meatless.   For about a year now, I have returned to eating meat. That is a story for another article. I will say it has made a difference in a different way. I feel guilty and don’t feel like I am doing enough for the Lord, not that He needs me to.    ## Inspiration from the words of Pope Francis Lately, I have noticed several articles written about the consideration of bringing this tradition back.  They consider the encyclical, [Laudato Si’](https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html), as inspiration because it is about the environment. Perhaps abstaining from meat helps the earth.  Another consideration is that by abstaining from meat on Fridays it would help us with detaching from consumerism.  Both factors make sense. Of course, we should respect our planet and try our best not to be wasteful. We maybe should consider our purchases to see if that makes an impact as well.   Detachment from consumerism would tie very nicely to this idea too.    ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20250102%20EEstrada%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20250102%20EEstrada%202.png)   ## Meatless Fridays: beyond ecology and consumerism Yet when discussing this with my friend at dinner, her choice about not eating meat was not about any of these reasons.   She simply described her choice as being the least she could do for God who never thinks twice about being with us, helping us, and sustaining us.  I very much agree with that for sure. I am not saying that the other reasons are not good reasons; I just think that we really shouldn’t have to *have a reason.*  Why should I or anyone else need a justification for such a simple sacrifice? Shouldn’t we be obedient?  At least, that is my opinion.  A simple conversation I had with my friend brought to my mind how self-centered we have become that if the Church doesn’t give a reason, we don’t see the need for the sacrifice. Again, Mother Mary was obedient -- why can’t we obey?  All I know is that I have started on my journey back to abstaining from meat on Fridays. Hopefully with God’s grace I will be able to sacrifice for Him instead of thinking of myself first.  Do you follow the traditional practice of year-round meatless Fridays?  Would you consider it?    Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2025 Elizabeth Estrada Images: Canva [![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fconsidering-a-throwback%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fconsidering-a-throwback%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fconsidering-a-throwback%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Considering%20a%20Throwback) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fconsidering-a-throwback%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fconsidering-a-throwback%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Elizabeth Estrada](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Elizabeth%20Estrada%201.jpeg) ### [Elizabeth Estrada](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/elizabeth-estrada) Elizabeth Estrada, a public-school teacher, is an avid reader and enjoys crafting. She is in formation to become a Third Order Carmelite soon with her son Agustin. ## Related Blog Articles [ Rosary Reflections for Pregnant Mothers: Second Sorrowful Mystery Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/rosary-reflections-for-pregnant-mothers-second-sorrowful-mystery) [ Turning Godward Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/turning-godward) [ A Little Lent Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/a-little-lent) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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