This year, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) falls on a Friday during Lent. On this specific occasion, in light of the festive nature of the day, Bishop Tobin hereby dispenses Catholics in the Diocese of Providence from the disciplines of fast and abstinence that are normally re-quired on the Fridays of Lent.
Catholics who take advantage of this dispensation are reminded that, in maintaining the penitential spirit of the Lenten Season, some other form of penance, prayer, or charitable work should be substituted at an appropriate time.
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, a great bishop and missionary of the Church, we should be mindful of the spiritual nature of the day. Let us resolve to imitate St. Patrick’s faith, holiness, and apostolic zeal in our daily lives.
