In a show of real religious tolerance, Chick-fil-A is coming through for anyone observing Lent this year.
The fast-food restaurant announced this week it will be serving its seasonal fish sandwich at “select” locations across the U.S. from now through April 20 in the time leading up to Easter Sunday.
Chick-fil-A is also offering boxed 2- and 3-count fish strip entrées served with waffle fries and a drink.
The popular American restaurant — which recently outperformed Starbucks among teenagers — has offered a meatless option for Lent observers since 2015.
News of the seasonal offering sparked a bit of attention on social media:
@ChickfilA I will dedicate my entire day to finding a fish sandwich pic.twitter.com/wIhJsmwzrK
— Rachel (@racheldaling) March 6, 2019
I’m not catholic, I’m baptist. I don’t participate in #lent but I get excited every year because @ChickfilA brings back their fish sandwich and it. is. https://t.co/3VLSNUf6mp ?
— Kayla Ulrich (@kay_see_you) March 6, 2019
@ChickfilA just blessed my ENTIRE soul with this here deluxe fish sandwich on #AshWednesday. Delicious! ? pic.twitter.com/QYBc9kYe2l
— J. (@jneh81) March 6, 2019
Why fish?
While many Protestants observe the Lenten season, the Catholic Church is known for its staunch observance of the season’s rituals and exercises leading up to Easter Sunday.
According to Catholic tradition, believers are encouraged not to indulge in meat on Lenten Fridays.
Father Kenneth Doyle explained a few years ago that Catholics abstain from eating meat because, in the past, it “was associated with celebrations and feasts and was considered a luxury in some cultures.”
“Fish, by comparison,” he wrote, “was more often the poor man’s meal.”
Lent, which is observed in the 40 days leading up to Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday and is meant to serve as a season of reflection, sacrifice and repentance for Christians.
Just as Jesus withdrew into the desert for 40 days after his baptism, according to Scripture, Christians turn away from earthly distractions in order to refocus their commitment to their faith.
The season, for many, is marked by abstaining from certain foods, luxuries and festivities.