Catholics In Diocese Of Trenton Can Eat Meat On St. Patrick's Day: Bishop

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Catholics from the Diocese of Trenton have been granted dispensation by the Bishop to eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day which falls on a Friday during Lent.

In a letter to the community Thursday, Bishop David M. O’Connell said the Friday obligation to abstain from meat can be fulfilled through other works and action.

“Friday of the third week of Lent corresponds with St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), which has traditionally been an occasion for special celebrations. As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I am granting a dispensation from the obligation to abstain from eating meat to Catholics of the Diocese of Trenton as well as to any visitors or travelers who may be physically present within the territory of this Diocese on Friday, March 17,” O’Connell said.

“Those Catholics taking advantage of the dispensation, however, are asked to transfer the Friday abstinence obligation to another day of their choosing in Lent or to perform a work of charity (for example, a donation to the poor) or some exercise of piety (for example, a visit to Church and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a rosary, or some other prayer, etc.) to fulfill the spirit of the obligation.”

The last time St. Patrick's Day fell on a Lenten Friday was in 2017.

Catholics who are 14 and older are to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent.

The Diocese of Trenton joins the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Metuchen to announce the dispensation during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day.

Churches in Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties come under the Diocese of Trenton.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com