For centuries, Catholics around the world have honored Fridays as a day of sacrifice, remembrance, and love. Why Fridays? Because it was on a Friday that Jesus Christ gave His life for us on the Cross. As a small act of devotion and penance, Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat on this day.
The History of Meatless Fridays
The practice of meat abstinence goes back to the earliest days of the Church. In fact, for many centuries, every Friday was considered a mini Good Friday. Catholics were asked to forgo eating meat—an ancient sign of feasting and celebration—as a small but meaningful way to unite themselves to Christ’s Passion.
After the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Church allowed local bishops' conferences to adjust the discipline. In the United States, Catholics are still required to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, but outside of Lent, they may substitute another form of penance if they choose. However, many Catholics have kept the tradition alive year-round as a weekly offering of love.
It’s not just about what you’re giving up—it’s about who you’re offering it to.
A Family Favorite: Mini Meatless Tortilla Pizzas
To help make this tradition joyful and simple, we love having easy, delicious meals ready to go—especially for lunch on busy homeschool or work-from-home days. This quick recipe is one of our favorites and always a hit with the whole family!
🍕 Easy Meatless Tortilla Pizzas
Ingredients:
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4 small tortillas
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Marinara sauce or pesto sauce
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Shredded mozzarella cheese
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Toppings of your choice (we love olives, peppers, and mushrooms!)
Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 425°F.
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Lay the tortillas flat on a baking sheet.
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Spread a spoonful of marinara or pesto sauce on each tortilla.
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Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously on top.
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Add your favorite veggie toppings—we like a mix of black olives, colorful bell peppers, and sliced mushrooms.
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Bake until the tortillas are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 8–10 minutes).
Serve warm, and enjoy your simple, satisfying, and sacred Friday meal.
Whether you’re returning to the practice of meatless Fridays or never stopped, we pray it blesses your week and deepens your love for Christ. ✝️
Let us know if you try our recipe—we’d love to hear your favorite Friday go-to meal in the comments!