BOIL THE OIL AND MIX UP the batter. It’s that time of year again. The Lenten season is fast approaching, and with it a popular tradition returns.
Throughout the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday – Feb. 18 this year – and Holy Thursday – April 2 – excluding Sundays, parishes across the Diocese of Orange will be imbued with the delicious smells of frying fish.
“Fish Fries are a wonderful tradition within the Catholic Church,” La Purísima’s pastor, Fr. Martin Nguyen told OC Catholic in 2025. “The bigger picture is that we are a family, we are people from all backgrounds, all walks of life and we come here to enjoy this moment as a family.”
The Friday Fish Fry has become not only a source of delectable seafood but a lucrative fundraising opportunity for parishes. And while abstaining from meat is thought to be a form of sacrifice befitting the season, the fish meals will make the faithful rethink that.
SERGIO GUZMAN AND FELIPA PEREZ LEND A HAND IN THE KITCHEN DURING LA PURÍSIMA PARISH’S FISH FRY ON MARCH 28, 2025. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The tradition of Fish Fries, or Frys if you prefer, comes from the ancient Christian practices of fasting and meat abstinence to honor Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. For Catholics, the practice was formalized when early popes in the Middle Ages promoted the practice. And while conspiracy theories linger that an unnamed medieval pope may have made a secret deal to pump up the seafood industry, most historians agree that theory is fishy at best.
In medieval and even pre-Christian times, fish became associated with numerous sacred holidays, not just Fridays, but during Advent, Lent, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Initially that consisted mostly of herring and salted cod. Thankfully, tastes have changed since then. Like Catholics, many Anglicans and Episcopalians also follow Lenten fish traditions. Unlike the alleged unnamed pope, according to Kate Colquhoun in her book Taste: The Story of Britain Through Its Cooking, in 1547 Edward VI DID make a deal with fishermen to reinstate consuming “popish flesh” and resume Lenten meat fasting and fish on Fridays.
The year-long Friday fasting for Catholics lasted until 1966 when, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI loosened the fish Friday practices, while maintaining them through the Lenten season.
Fun fact: McDonald’s franchise owner Louis Groen, whose shop was in a largely Catholic part of Cincinnati and struggling to sell burgers on Fridays, invented the Filet-O-Fish in 1962.
A FUNDRAISING BONANZA
Friday Fish Fries have gained particular traction as popular fundraisers in the Diocese of Orange. And although refraining from meat may be meant to represent some sort of penance and sacrifice, the aromas from the popular events may convince parishioners otherwise.
The Friday meals have also emerged as great ways to build community within parishes.
Kelly Montey, leader of the St. Kilian Church Council of Catholic Women, said the meals have become one of her parish’s most popular events and biggest fundraiser, with attendees either sharing the meal at the church or ordering takeout.
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN, PASTOR OF ST. KILIAN PARISH IN MISSION VIEJO, STANDS IN HUGHES HALL DURING THE CHURCH’S ANNUAL FISH FRY ON MARCH 7, 2025. PHOTO BY JEFF ANTENORE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
So popular are the meals, residents from across the area, including non-Catholics, journey to partake of the offerings.
Last year, St. Kilian served more than 6,900 of the $15 meals during the six Fridays of Lent.
According to faith leaders, the Fish Fries give parishioners a great opportunity to join in fellowship and build community.
As John Nguyen, of St. Cecilia told OC Catholic in 2025, “I enjoyed building connections and relationships with other communities within the parish.”
Hundreds of volunteers, from seniors to Catholic school teens and children, join in the festivities as cooks, order takers and servers.
Not surprisingly, the popularity of Lenten feasts has attracted a number of the diocese’s charities. The Knights of Columbus, man a number of fryers, either at individual parishes or their halls.
A typical Fish Fry includes generous portions of battered cod and all the fixings, including sauces and sides such as side salad, cole slaw, potato salad and/or French fries. For those not enamored of fish, there is often pizza, burritos or other offerings available.
A MULTICULTURAL AFFAIR
The Diocese of Orange is proud of its diversity and, not surprisingly, that spreads to Lenten Friday cuisine. For example, at La Purísima, which is proud of its diverse congregation, don’t be surprised to find fresh Salmon Limone – poached with a lemon sauce and herbs— on the Friday menu. The parish has also been known to serve up fish tacos, Mojarra Frita fresh Tilapia (including the head), bean and cheese burritos and potato pancakes.
At St. Cecilia you may find the the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Ministry serving up shrimp with tofu and vegetables over white rice accompanied by fruit, cookies and water.
The La Purísima’s Vietnamese community often serves fried rice, spring rolls, egg rolls and boba.
Sure, Lent tends to be a time of solemnity, reflection, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, but at least once a week, parishioners are able to loosen up, and loosen their belts, at the Friday Fish Fries.