Why did we only get fish at school on a Friday when I was a kid?

Question

I'm sure there's some religious connection, but I can't remember what it was (my school was C of E )

Answer 1

if your school was high church c of e they have the same observancies as catholics and meat is not eaten on fridays

Answer 2

A long time ago, Catholics had a rule to eat no meat on Friday's. It disappeared (probably with the start of Vatican II, I'm not 100% sure) and is now only limited to Friday's during Lent. Many religious outlets, however, still offer fish on Fridays out of tradition.

Answer 3

Alexandra B is partly correct but as with any business, and yes the Vatican is a business, there was monetary incentive involved. They passed off the "poor man's food" label to keep in line with Vatican doctrine and Catholism. There was an abundance of fish and other seafood in Italy at a certain point in history, as Italy was very much a seafaring commercial country. I forget the Pope that started it but nonetheless the Vatican had a substantial stake in the fishing economy at the time. In all fareness to the Vatican meat, also at the time, was in short supply. Take those two combinations and the Vatican used its power to declare what we have now, no meat Fridays during lent. It not only solved the short supply of meat but made the Vatican very wealthy, all while keeping in line with its goals and values.

Answer 4

Because the Catholics made up a rule that they could only eat fish on Fridays, then later made it only during Lent.
Pity all those poor souls in Hell for having a Friday steak, when the law no longer exists.
Does the Pope pardon them, or what?

Answer 5

many christian groups and churches, especially the catholic church stated that you should eat fish on Fridays, at the time this was placed in effect fish was a lower standard of food then other meats, and it was about humility of eating the "poor man's food"
so in turn most schools of the day then served fish on Fridays so to allow the children to eat it as well.

Answer 6

Roman Catholic schools used to serve fish on Friday too so perhaps that's the reason

Answer 7

Yep its like from when Jesus was crucified on Good Friday so since then you werent suppossed to eat meat on a friday so fish was a good substitue for a decent meal, nowadays people dont stick to it as much as they used to so instead of not eating meat and instead having fish every fri they tend to just do it on Good Friday

Answer 8

The Christian habit of eating fish on Friday's showed self-discipline and fasting by avoiding meat.

Answer 9

i dont mean to be self righteous but i am right here,im catholic and the fridays are supposed to be a day of fasting which generally means we dont eat meat and try to limit ourselves to one full meal only,we are allowed to eat fish though,jesus died on a friday,that is known as good friday and it is a no no to eat any meat on that day,although we are supposed to keep this up most fridays i reckon most catholics only do it on good friday..i know i do,i think it is a mark of respect for the sacrifice the lord made for us

Answer 10

All I can remember was that Friday nights in our house was always fish never meat !! So for lunch we would have cheese or fish and fish for tea!!

Answer 11

I was brought up a Catholic and Friday was a day of fasting ie only 2 small meals and one dinner for the day and meat was strictly forbidden