St. Patrick's Day is on Friday this year. Will corned beef be out for Catholics?

Marco Cartolano, Telegram & Gazette
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WORCESTER — Irish Catholics observing Lent in the city will not need to choose between their love for corned beef and their faith on St. Patrick's Day.

Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester granted a dispensation allowing Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, which falls on a Friday this year.

In return for the dispensation, McManus requested that Catholics perform an act of penance on St. Patrick's Day.

Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester granted a dispensation allowing Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, which falls on a Friday this year.
Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester granted a dispensation allowing Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, which falls on a Friday this year.

This year, the Catholic observance of Lent started Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday, and will conclude on Holy Thursday, April 6.

During Lent, Catholics are compelled to abstain from meat every Friday. St. Patrick's Day is typically associated with a large consumption of meat.

In a message in Friday's edition of the Catholic Free Press, McManus said he granted the dispensation "in light of the importance of this feast day for many in the Diocese of Worcester."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester bishop gives dispensation for meat on St. Patrick's Day