Lent began this Wednesday. Today is Lent’s first Friday. Fridays during Lent are meatless for those who abide by the strictures of this penitential interval. Many in Cincinnati, my hometown, will be among those abstaining. Though the city isn’t as Catholic as it used to be, it still has a strong Catholic culture. And an even stronger Catholic heritage — one for which we can thank the Filet-O-Fish.

The popular McDonald’s menu item originated in what was then heavily Catholic Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Enquirer recounts the history. Lou Groen, who opened the state’s first McDonald’s restaurant in the city, noticed that he lost much business on Fridays during Lent to area favorite Frisch’s, which served a fish sandwich. In 1962, Groen created his own fish sandwich and convinced headquarters to add it to the menu. It was the first-ever addition to the original McDonald’s menu. Groen claimed that the Filet-O-Fish saved his franchise, and it remains a McDonald’s staple: around 300 million are sold annually.

I’m not a huge fan of fast food, but I take my faith seriously, take pride in my city, and welcome this happy coincidence of the two. There are other options for Cincinnatians who wish to remain meatless today. The Enquirer has a handy fish-fry map. In a testament to the enduring Catholic culture of the city and how religion is an essential part of civil society, it shows more than 100 options. Not bad for mackerel-snappers.