Eating meat will be allowed on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17

Because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday during Lent this year, Archbishop Gregory Aymond has issued a dispensation from the Lenten requirement to abstain from eating meat on that day.

“As is tradition, Catholics are called to abstain from meat on Fridays of Lent, but the local bishop has the authority to dispense Catholics in his diocese from this obligation for certain liturgical and local celebrations,” the archbishop wrote in a letter to clergy, religious and laity.

“Therefore, this year, on the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, which falls on the fourth Friday of Lent, Catholics in the Archdiocese of New Orleans are dispensed from the obligation to abstain from meat and can partake in customary and traditional dishes should they choose to do so.

“I highly encourage any Catholic that chooses to make use of this dispensation to select another day of the week to make the Lenten sacrifice.”