Dispensation for Saint Patrick's Day, March 17

The feast of St. Patrick is March 17, which falls on a Friday during Lent. Therefore, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez has decreed that on Friday, March 17, 2023, all Catholics of the Diocese of Austin, no matter where they may be, and all other Catholics actually present in the Diocese on that day, are, by his authority, dispensed from the obligation to abstain from meat (Code of Canon Law, can. 87). While it is not required that anyone make use of this dispensation, those who do wish to make use of it are encouraged to abstain from meat on some other day as part of their penitential practices during Lent.

Read the Decree >>