Catholic Bishop OKs Traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal In Ocean, Monmouth

Catholics in Ocean and Monmouth counties who were torn about celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a traditional Irish meal of corned beef, rejoice: Catholic bishops in New Jersey have given their approval to eat meat on Friday.

"There are very few days in the Church year for penitential abstinence from meat as a sacrifice," Bishop David O'Connell said in a message on the website of the Diocese of Trenton, which oversees the Catholic churches in Monmouth and Ocean counties. "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," he said, "but ask our Catholics attending that dinner/event to transfer the Lenten abstinence sacrifice to Thursday, March 16."

Abstinence from meat on Fridays is a traditional part of Christian observance of Lent that marks the 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, as a way of honoring the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. Lent is frequently associated with Catholics but also is observed by some Protestant religions.

In the Catholic Church, Lent officially ends on the Thursday before Easter, known as Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are part of what is known as the Easter Triduum, and not technically part of Lent.

According to the United Methodist Church website, "Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means 'spring.' The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry."

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the 40 days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and "the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection," the United Methodist Church site says.

"Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others," the United Methodist Church site said.

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