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 response to a number of requests, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has granted to Catholics in the Diocese of Fall River 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.

Bishop da Cunha encourages those who choose to make use of this dispensation to carry out some other sacrificial act or work of charity in keeping with the spirit of the Lenten season.

O Reverendíssimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
O Reverendíssimo Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River