Catholics in Western Pennsylvania will be allowed to eat traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare like corned beef, Reubens and Irish stew this year, despite the holiday falling on a Friday during Lent.
Normally, Catholics abstain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent., but Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik and Greensburg Bishop Larry J. Kulick both announced a special dispensation. It allows Catholics in both regions to choose “some additional act of Lenten discipline” on March 17 instead of forgoing meat.
The last time St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Friday in Lent was 2017.
“Given the great impact which Saint Patrick has made not only on the people of Ireland but especially in our own diocese, I have made the decision to dispense from the obligation of abstaining from meat on Friday, March 17,” said Zubik. “It is my hope that those who choose to avail themselves of the dispensation may do so in a spirit that reflects this holy season.”
Kulick plans to host several visits to parish communities in the Greensburg diocese to conduct ‘Lenten Evenings of Reflection.’ He will discuss different topics and lead groups in prayer.
The visits will be recorded and will be posted on the diocesan Facebook page. Lent is a 40-day period before Easter which Christians use as a time of penitence and reflection.
