Since St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday of Lent, some are wondering whether I will be offering a diocesan dispensation from the obligation of abstinence from meat on Friday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day.
     
In West Texas, there is not a broadly practiced local cultural tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage. There are many beautiful and joyful ways to honor St. Patrick on his feast day without consuming meat.
     
Therefore, I will not be granting an overall diocesan dispensation from the obligation to abstain from meat on St. Patrick's Day. Local pastors already have the ongoing faculty to dispense individuals on a case-by-case basis.
     
Through the intercession of St. Patrick, the apostle and patron of Ireland, may God bring a new wave of evangelization to the Irish people.

Bishop Michael J. Sis