One of the Lenten disciplines which can confuse Catholics is culinary abstinence which is required of all on Ash Wednesday as well as all Fridays of Lent. This is generally understood as no meat (red meat, pork or poultry). But what about alligator?
Those in the "Big Easy" Archdiocese fare better than downriver Detroiters in circumventing Lenten Fast rules. Due to a historical dispensation, the Archdiocese of Detroit allows their flock to "enjoy" muskrat.
Detroit originally was a French city founded by the Marquis du Cadillac in 1701. After the French and Indian Wars, the French surrendered Fort Ponchatrain du Detroit to the British in 1760 and it later became American territory after the Jay Treaty of 1796.
Fr. Gabriel Richard |
Chef Johnny Kowslowski and muskrat meal |
Fr. Gabriel Richard is well known for penning the phrase "Seramus meliora; resurgent cineribus" ("We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes"). The city of Detroit took that as it's motto after it burnt down in 1805. Yet I also connect the phrase to the option of eating muskrat.
Personally, the big easy for celebrating the Lenten season would involve a Wisconsin Fish Fry. But vive la difference and roulez les bonnes temps.
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