Lenten Dispensation March 17

From His Excellency, Bishop David O'Connell

Lenten Dispensation, March 17

There are very few days in the Church year for penitential abstinence from meat as a sacrifice. It is serious enough an obligation as to be listed as one of the "Precepts of the Church."

I am happy this year to give a dispensation from the Lenten abstinence requirement for those attending a St. Patrick's Day celebration in a parish or other Catholic organization, but ask our Catholics attending that dinner/event to transfer the Lenten abstinence sacrifice to Thursday, March 16.