It is near the end of Advent. Christmas Eve is on Thursday. In the Eastern and Southern European traditions( Polish, Ukrainian, Italian,etc.) the Vigil or Wigilia is a dinner or supper that is a meal of abstinence. No landed meat or by products are on the table. In the Polish tradition, there are 12 courses of the meal. Seafood, fish, and vegetarian , and meatless dishes abound. But don’t forget the Oplatek! Check out our menu choices at CertifiedMeatless.com ! Prepare for the new-born King!

Today is the last Friday of Advent. Advent in itself is a time of prayer, abstinence, and alms-giving. Do most people remember Advent as a holy season? Since Fridays have always been a day of mortification and prayer, it would be special to honour our Lord. Take the time to say a prayer, give to the needy, visit a shut-in, abstain from your favourite treat, or simply skip a meal. Its that simple and it is for a worthy cause.

Excellent feedback. Also for the friday abstinance issue, you can consult the issue in Canon law of the Catholic Church. Here is an excerpt:

Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
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Sandy Braun
http://cm-lo.com
1

I had no idea about the abstinance issue of Fridays. I only thought of it during Lent but it does make sense. I do remember my parents and grand-parents talking about not eating meat on Fridays. In fact in upstate New York there is still advertised Friday fish fries at restaurants, pubs, social clubs and churches.

Different studies have shown that you may gain more benefits from omega-3 fatty acids if baked or broiled fish is chosen over fried, salt laden preserved fish and seafood. Regardless of this, fish and their by-products are a healthy option to reduce our dependency on landed , slaughtered meats and their by-products.