Bishop Cistone Grants Dispensation from Abstinence for Friday, March 17, Memorial of Saint Patrick of Ireland
"During Lent, Fridays are days of abstinence obligating Catholics to abstain from eating meat and meat products as a common sign and witness of penitence in the Catholic disciplinary tradition. This “Abstinence†applies to all Catholics who are fourteen (14) years of age or older.
This year, Saint Patrick's Day occurs on Friday, March 17, 2017. It is a Memorial that is celebrated across the Diocese of Saginaw. On Saint Patrick's Day, the memory of this missionary Apostle to Ireland calls to mind his preaching of the Catholic Faith and encouragement to live authentic Christian lives.
For us to locally commemorate the Memorial of Saint Patrick within the Irish tradition, and for the spiritual good of the Faithful who celebrate his Feast Day, I, as the Bishop of Saginaw, grant a Dispensation, in accord with the Code of Canon Law (canon 87) from the discipline of Abstinence on Friday, March 17, 2017, to all Roman Catholics, whether permanently residing or visiting within the boundaries of the Diocese of Saginaw.
Moreover, I pastorally encourage those Catholics who choose to utilize this Dispensation to carry out another appropriate penitential action on the day before or the day after Saint Patrick’s Day in order to express their penitential solidarity with the Catholic community around the world." - The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw
A print friendly version of the official dispensation may be viewed here. Helpful information about Lent including information about fasting, may be found here.