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On Christmas Eve, many Catholic families enjoy a lavish meal known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Why is fish the highlight of this feast when fish is also the food used for Lenten fasting?
Traditionally, Catholics fast before receiving communtion at morning mass. They eat breakfast after the liturgy. That schedule works well on most days. On Christmas Eve, however, many Catholics don't attend Mass until midnight. Do they have to fast for an entire day?
Early in the 20th century, church leaders found that on Christmas Eve, the faithful fasted from the moment they awoke in the morning until the conclusion of Midnight Mass. That long period with no food made them extremely tired and weak. The solution was to encourage everyone to eat a fish dinner before attending Midnight Mass. Because fish was considered an appropriate food for Lenten fasting, it would be permissable for Christmas Eve dinner. Seven types of fish would be served because seven is a significant number in the Catholic Church. There are seven sacraments, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and seven sorrows of Mary.
Fish served on Christmas Eve is a reminder to prepare ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus.
The origins of the Feast of the Seven Fishes as well as foods such as hot cross buns, gingerbread cookies, cappuccino, and champagne can be found in the new book, Catholicism Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccinos: How the Catholic Faith is Infused in Culture, written by Helen Hoffner and published by Sophia Institute Press.
Helen Hoffner, Ed.D. is a professor at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the author of four books for Catholic audiences: The Cross: A Universal Symbol ( Marian Press, 2024), Catholicism Everywhere ( Sophia Institute Press, 2024), Catholic Traditions and Treasures ( Sophia Institute Press, 2018), and The Rosary Collector's Guide ( Schiffer Publishing, 2013). She has also written four books for teachers: The Elementary Teacher's Digital Toolbox ( Prentice Hall, 2006), Literacy Lessons K-8 ( Corwin Press, 2010), Reading and Writing Mysteries in Grades 4-8 ( Teacher Created Materials, 2006), and A Look at Realistic Fiction ( Teacher Created Materials, 2003). Dr. Hoffner has been invited to discuss her books on television programs of EWTN and the Catholic Faith Network as well as on radio stations across the United States and Canada.
