Dispensation Granted for St. Patrick’s Day Author: Diocese of Fall River In the News 3 Mar 2017 Share FALL RIVER — This year, the celebration of St. Patrick’s feast day on March 17th falls on a Friday during Lent. In consideration of the culinary traditions of this feast and in response to a number of requests, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has granted to Catholics in the Fall River Diocese a dispensation from the Lenten rule of abstaining from meat on that day. Catholics are asked to fast and practice abstinence in Lent as means of penance to unite in the suffering and death of Christ, and to prepare for His resurrection on Easter. In granting the dispensation, Bishop da Cunha encourages those who choose to make use of it to carry out some other sacrificial act or work of charity in keeping with the spirit of the Lenten season. Learn about St. Patrick Diocese of Fall River Office of Communications Categories In the News Press Releases and Statements Messages from The Bishop Bishop's Blog Success Stories Photo Gallery Videos Related Posts Press Releases and Statements 1 Mar 2023 Dispensation Granted for St. Patrick’s Day FALL RIVER — This year, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th falls on a Friday during Lent. In consideration of the culinary traditions of this feast and in … Read More In the News 10 Jun 2021 Bishop da Cunha’s Video Message on Lifting the Dispensation Bishop da Cunha, Region’s Other Bishops, Lift General Mass Dispensation Read Bishop da Cunha’s letter. Read the news release. Diocese of Fall River Office of Communications Read More In the News 20 Feb 2020 Lent Begins Feb. 26th; Bishop Says Season is a Reminder ‘That We Are All Called to a Life of Holiness’ FALL RIVER — Lent, the forty-day season of prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving in preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Parishes throughout the … Read More