Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Welcome to Blessed is She, where we love Jesus and you.

Lent 2023 has arrived. And you've got to get it.

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $75+

Shipping FAQ Contact
Search
  • About
  • Prayer
  • Community
  • Shop
  • Experiences
  • Free Resources
Blessed Is She
Account Search Cart
  • About Toggle menu
    • About Blessed is She
    • Staff + Writers
    • BIS Quiz
  • Prayer Toggle menu
    • Devotions
      Devotions
    • Blog
      Blog
    • Blessed is She App
      Blessed is She App
    • Teachable Tuesdays
      Teachable Tuesdays
    • Podcast
      Podcast
  • Community Toggle menu
    • Regional Groups
    • Blessed Brunches
    • Blessed Conversations
    • Blessed is She App
  • Shop Toggle menu
    • By Product Type Toggle menu
      • Accessories
      • Apparel
      • Books
      • Candles
      • Cards
      • Crucifixes
      • Jewelry
      • Lent
      • Posters & Prints
      • Stickers
    • By occasion / use Toggle menu
      • Gifts
      • Home
      • Kids
    • Featured Toggle menu
      • Lent
      • New
      • Sale
    • SHOP ALL
      SHOP ALL
  • Experiences
  • Free Resources
LENT 2023 IS HERE: NEW WINE ➔
LENT 2023 IS HERE: NEW WINE ➔

The Goodness of Every Friday

The Goodness of Every Friday

I was baffled as to how I had lived 19 years as Catholic without knowing this. The priest had just given a homily on the Church’s requirement to do penance every Friday, not just in Lent. After Mass as I walked across my college campus to the cafeteria I asked a friend about it.

"Oh yeah, I have know that for years," he told me. "It does not have to be abstinence from meat, but it has to be some sort of penance. It is in canon law, you know." (see Canons §§ 1250-1254) I had been taught the rules about Lent, but this every Friday thing was news to me. My first instinct was to try to excuse myself and discount it as not a big deal. But after looking at Canon Law and much prayer, I have found the healing depths of purposely doing penance for my sins every single Friday.

Even during Eastertide, the highest, happiest season of the Church, Jesus reminds us, "You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices." (John 16:20) All Fridays (except for solemnities) are days for doing penance, and remind us that even though He is risen we are not in Heaven yet. "[Y]ou will grieve, but your grief will become joy." (John 16:20)

A priest once explained to me that as Jesus’ flesh was torn and blood shed for us on a Friday, we honor Him by not cutting the flesh of animals. We make a sacrifice showing our sorrow for our sins united to His One Sacrifice for all sins. Just as every week we have the little Easter of Sunday to rejoice in the Resurrection, we also have the little Good Friday of every Friday to remember Christ’s passion.

This weekly day of penance helps me to feel true sorrow for my sins, strive to change my bad habits, and thank God for His sacrifice. When I think about it this way, one day a week to offer to the Creator Who gave me all I have is not too much for Him to ask from me.

We make a sacrifice showing our sorrow for our sins united to His One Sacrifice for all sins.Click to tweet Twitter

Sisters, whether this is news to you or not, take some time this Friday to ask God how He wants you to live penitentially today. Perhaps you feel called to do a social media fast or give up your favorite drink. Or maybe you are drawn to the tradition of abstaining from meat every Friday. Bring your heart to God and ask Him to give you true contrition for your sins.

Susanna Spencer is the Theological Editor for Blessed is She who studied theology and philosophy in her earlier life. She happily cares for her three adorable little girls, toddler boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul when not writing and editing. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.

Blessed is She
About Blessed is She
View other posts from the author

LENT 2023 IS HERE
JOIN THE BIS APP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
Share
  • Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Pinterest Pin it
May 11, 2018 — Blessed Is She
Tags: Author_BlessedIsShe Devotions
Left Older Post Back to Devotions Newer Post Right
Welcome to Blessed Is She

Blessed is She is a sisterhood of women who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through their Catholic faith.

Blessed Is She
Quick links
  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Affiliates Program
  • Internships/Volunteer
Social
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Amazon
Amazon American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Meta Pay Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Terms of Service
© 2023 Blessed Is She. Powered by Shopify