Because St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) falls on Friday this year, our Bishop of Brooklyn/Queens is granting a dispensation from Lenten Friday abstinence. He writes:
Abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent is one of the penitential practices required of all the faithful who have attained the age of 14. This year, the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, falls on a Friday in Lent. Given the parades and many celebrations that occur on this day and in view of the fact that it is the patronal feast of our neighbors in the Archdiocese of New York, in accord with the norm of law, I hereby grant to all Catholics of the Diocese of Brooklyn as well as all present here that day, a dispensation from abstinence from meat and meat products. I strongly encourage all who make use of this dispensation to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day.
– Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio