Twin Cities Catholics Get Dispensation For St. Patrick's Day

Despite it being the season of Lent, Twin Cities Catholics can enjoy all the corned beef they want this Friday.

A general dispensation has been to granted to area Catholics from Twin Cities Archbishop Hebda from the obligation of abstinence from meat on March 17, 2017, the Commemoration of Saint Patrick.

Hebda added that those taking advantage of the dispensation, however, are exhorted to undertake a work of charity, an exercise of piety, or an act of comparable penance on some other occasion during the Second Week of Lent.

"As a general rule, a request for a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence on Fridays of Lent will not be considered unless some serious reason is present," wrote Susan Mulheron, Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, in a recent letter.

"It has been noted, however, that Friday of the second week of Lent this year corresponds with St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), which has traditionally been an occasion for joy-filled celebrations in this Archdiocese."

"Having consulted with the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and taken into consideration both past practice and present circumstances, and having judged that it would serve the common spiritual good, Archbishop Hebda has granted to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, as well as any visitors or travelers who may be physically present within the territory of this Archdiocese, a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence from meat on March 17, 2017."

"Those taking advantage of the dispensation, however, are exhorted to undertake a work of charity, an exercise of piety, or an act of comparable penance on some other occasion during the Second Week of Lent."

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